Map

Anthropogenic Biomes

Map type: Human Influence

This map shows North America classified into “anthropogenic biomes,” also known as “anthromes” or “human biomes.”

Biomes are major global ecosystem types, characterized by particular climate and soil conditions and distinctive forms of life adapted to these conditions. Incorporating the significant role of humans in altering ecosystems, this map offers a new way of classifying the parts of the earth in which life exists.

Anthropogenic biomes are major global ecosystem types that incorporate the ways in which humans interact with ecosystems.

Source: Ellis, E.C., and N. Ramankutty. 2008. Putting people in the map: Anthropogenic biomes of the world. Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment 6, doi:10.1890/070062.