Mapping Human Climate Impact Across Global Terrestrial Ecoregions
The map illustrates the Human Climate Impact (HCI) index across terrestrial ecoregions worldwide, ranking regions from the least affected (1st) to the most impacted (10th). Using a gradient of colors—from light gray and beige to deep brown—the map highlights how human activity and climate change combine to pressure ecosystems across continents.
Regions in the highest categories (9th and 10th ranks), shown in darker shades of brown, include large areas of South Asia, East Asia, Central Africa, and parts of South America. These areas are facing the strongest pressures from rising temperatures, population density, deforestation, and agricultural expansion.
In contrast, lighter shades (1st and 2nd ranks) represent regions with relatively lower levels of combined climate and human impact. These include parts of the northern latitudes such as Canada, Russia, and some areas of deserts, where human presence is sparse and ecosystems remain less disturbed.
Interestingly, many biodiversity-rich regions, such as the Amazon Basin, Congo Basin, and Southeast Asia, fall into mid-to-high impact categories. This signals an alarming trend: some of the most vital ecosystems for regulating global climate are also among the most threatened.
The map also reflects the global imbalance in environmental pressure. Industrialized regions with high land-use intensity, like Europe and the eastern United States, appear in darker shades, emphasizing the link between economic development and ecological strain.
Overall, the visualization underscores the urgent need for sustainable land management, conservation policies, and climate adaptation strategies. It highlights that while climate change is a global phenomenon, its impact is uneven—concentrated in regions where human activity is already placing ecosystems under significant stress.
By ranking ecoregions through the HCI index, the map provides policymakers and conservationists with a critical tool to prioritize action in areas most vulnerable to ecological collapse.
