Human Domination of Earth's Ecosystems

Peter M. Vitousek; Harold A. Mooney; Jane Lubchenco; Jerry M. Melillo

doi:10.1126/science.277.5325.494

journal article Jul 25, 1997

Human Domination of Earth's Ecosystems

Peter M. Vitousek Harold A. Mooney Jane Lubchenco

Jerry M. Melillo

Science Vol. 277 No. 5325 pp. 494-499 · American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)

View at Publisher Save 10.1126/science.277.5325.494

Abstract

Human alteration of Earth is substantial and growing. Between one-third and one-half of the land surface has been transformed by human action; the carbon dioxide concentration in the atmosphere has increased by nearly 30 percent since the beginning of the Industrial Revolution; more atmospheric nitrogen is fixed by humanity than by all natural terrestrial sources combined; more than half of all accessible surface fresh water is put to use by humanity; and about one-quarter of the bird species on Earth have been driven to extinction. By these and other standards, it is clear that we live on a human-dominated planet.

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Details

Published: Jul 25, 1997
Vol/Issue: 277(5325)
Pages: 494-499

Authors

P

Peter M. Vitousek

P. M. Vitousek and H. A. Mooney are in the Department of Biological Sciences, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA. J. Lubchenco is in the Department of Zoology, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 97331, USA. J. M. Melillo is at the U.S. Office of Science and Technology Policy, Old Executive Office Building, Room 443, Washington, DC 20502, USA.

H

Harold A. Mooney

P. M. Vitousek and H. A. Mooney are in the Department of Biological Sciences, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA. J. Lubchenco is in the Department of Zoology, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 97331, USA. J. M. Melillo is at the U.S. Office of Science and Technology Policy, Old Executive Office Building, Room 443, Washington, DC 20502, USA.

J

Jane Lubchenco

P. M. Vitousek and H. A. Mooney are in the Department of Biological Sciences, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA. J. Lubchenco is in the Department of Zoology, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 97331, USA. J. M. Melillo is at the U.S. Office of Science and Technology Policy, Old Executive Office Building, Room 443, Washington, DC 20502, USA.

J

Jerry M. Melillo

P. M. Vitousek and H. A. Mooney are in the Department of Biological Sciences, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA. J. Lubchenco is in the Department of Zoology, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 97331, USA. J. M. Melillo is at the U.S. Office of Science and Technology Policy, Old Executive Office Building, Room 443, Washington, DC 20502, USA.

Cite This Article

Peter M. Vitousek, Harold A. Mooney, Jane Lubchenco, et al. (1997). Human Domination of Earth's Ecosystems. Science, 277(5325), 494-499. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.277.5325.494

Human Domination of Earth's Ecosystems

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