I'm excited to share our new paper, led by @erleellis. By combining global maps of human populations and land use, we found that ~75% of terrestrial nature has been shaped by people for at least 12,000. https://www.pnas.org/content/118/17/e2023483118

Our main take-home points: 1) "With rare exceptions, current biodiversity losses are caused not by human conversion or degradation of untouched ecosystems, but rather by the appropriation, colonization, and intensification of use in lands inhabited and used by prior societies."

2) "Global land use history confirms that empowering the environmental stewardship of Indigenous peoples and local communities will be critical to conserving biodiversity across the planet."

In other words, most of the places we think of as "pristine wilderness" have been shaped by people for many millennia. Moving past the flawed thinking based on this myth is important for protecting biodiversity, and indigenous rights and sovereignty.

Thanks to @erleellis for leading, with coauthors @nick_gaut @GoldewijkKees @parnajarlpa @NicoleLBoivin @sdiazecology @dqfuller, Jed Kaplan, @naomiekingston @harveylockewild @crystalmcmic Darren Ranco, Torben Rick, Rebecca Shaw, Lucas Stephens, @JCSvenning, and James Watson.

You can also check out this fantastic interactive map, and trace your favorite places through time. https://twitter.com/nick_gaut/status/1384265018082873347