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Land Cover & Land Use Change. Presentation outline. Drivers (causes) of change Measuring landuse/landcover change Consquences for the environment Regions at risk Addressing landuse/landcover change. Worldwide extent of human land-use and land-cover change
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Presentation outline • Drivers (causes) of change • Measuring landuse/landcover change • Consquences for the environment • Regions at risk • Addressing landuse/landcover change
Worldwide extent of human land-use and land-cover change From: Foley et al., 2005. Global Consequences of Land Use. Science, 309: 570-574.
Land-use transitions that may be experienced within a given region over time. From: Foley et al., 2005. Global Consequences of Land Use. Science, 309: 570-574.
What are the environmental consequences of landuse/landcover change?
Effects on atmosphere/climate • Air pollution
Effects on atmosphere/climate • Urban heat island
Effects on water resources • Groundwater depletion
Effects on water resources • Flooding
Effects on water resources • Water pollution
Effects on ecosystems • Habitat fragmentation
Effects on ecosystems • Degradation of soil fertility
What geographic regions are at greatest risk for landuse / landcover change?
Source: NASA Regions at risk
How do we address the consequences of landuse / landcover change?
Ecosystem valuation programs The Conservation Fund
Landuse / Landcover ChangeSummary • Important component of global environmental change • Driven by multiple factors (population, economics, policy) • Measured through traditional statistical approaches and innovative mapping/modeling • Affects environmental processes (atmosphere, water, ecology)