Global Human Pressure Map for 1993

A global geospatial dataset quantifying cumulative human pressure on the environment for the year 1993, released in 2018. It integrates eight distinct variables, including built-up environments, population density, and electric power infrastructure, at a spatial resolution of approximately 1 kilometer. The dataset was produced by Venter et al. for NASA's ESDIS to enable comparison with later human footprint assessments.

Use Cases

• Modeling baseline human pressure for comparison with the 2009 Human Footprint to assess change over time.
• Analyzing the spatial distribution of infrastructure like roads, railways, and power grids relative to natural areas.
• Assessing the combined influence of agricultural lands (crops and pasture) and population density on ecosystems.
• Identifying wilderness areas by mapping the inverse of cumulative human pressure scores.

Strengths

• Integrates eight distinct, globally consistent pressure variables into a single composite index.
• Provides a 1-kilometer resolution raster, enabling detailed spatial analysis at a global scale.
• Designed explicitly for temporal comparison with the 2009 Human Footprint dataset.

Limitations

• Specific column names, row counts, and file sizes are not provided by any source platform.
• Conflicting 'last updated' dates: NASA Earthdata lists 1993-12-31, while Data.gov lists 2026-03-13, creating uncertainty about metadata maintenance.
• License information is not specified across all platforms.

Provenance

Source

Venter et al., produced for NASA's Earth Science Data and Information System (ESDIS).

Collection Method

Spatial modeling integrating eight global data layers measuring human presence and activity.

Time Range

1993

Freshness

2026-03-13 20:17:40.141538

Geography

Global