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Published December 16, 2016 | Version v1
Dataset Open

A global map of roadless areas and their conservation status

  • 1. Centre for Econics and Ecosystem Management, Eberswalde University for Sustainable Development, Alfred-Moeller-Str. 1, 16225 Eberswalde, Germany, Society for Conservation Biology - Europe Section
  • 2. Centre for Econics and Ecosystem Management, Eberswalde University for Sustainable Development, Alfred-Moeller-Str. 1, 16225 Eberswalde, Germany
  • 3. Society for Conservation Biology - Europe Section, UFZ – Centre for Environmental Research, Dept. Conservation Biology, Permoserstr. 15, 04318 Leipzig, Germany, German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle-Jena-Leipzig, Deutscher Platz 5e, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
  • 4. Society for Conservation Biology - Europe Section, Department of Environmental & Natural Resources Management. University of Patras, Seferi 2, 30100 Agrinio, Greece
  • 5. Centre for Econics and Ecosystem Management, Eberswalde University for Sustainable Development, Alfred-Moeller-Str. 1, 16225 Eberswalde, Germany, Center for Development Research, Department for Ecology and Natural Resources Management, University of Bonn, Walter-Flex-Str. 3, 53113 Bonn, Germany
  • 6. Geos Institute, 84-4th St., Ashland, OR 97520; Society for Conservation Biology – North America Section
  • 7. Ecology Department, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Av. Brg. Trompowski s/n, 21044-020 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; Society for Conservation Biology – Latin America & Caribbean Section
  • 8. Centre for Econics and Ecosystem Management, Eberswalde University for Sustainable Development, Alfred-Moeller-Str. 1, 16225 Eberswalde, Germany, Society for Conservation Biology - Europe Section, Writtle College, Lordship Road, Writtle, Chelmsford, Essex, CM1 3RR, 01245 42420, United Kingdom
  • 9. Institute of Nature Conservation, Polish Academy of Sciences, Mickiewicza 33, 31-120 Kraków, Poland

Description

Abstract

Roads fragment landscapes and trigger human colonization and degradation of ecosystems, to the detriment of biodiversity and ecosystem functions. The planet’s remaining large and ecologically important tracts of roadless areas sustain key refugia for biodiversity and provide globally relevant ecosystem services. Applying a 1-kilometer buffer to all roads, we present a global map of roadless areas and an assessment of their status, quality, and extent of coverage by protected areas. About 80% of Earth’s terrestrial surface remains roadless, but this area is fragmented into ~600,000 patches, more than half of which are <1 square kilometer and only 7% of which are larger than 100 square kilometers. Global protection of ecologically valuable roadless areas is inadequate. International recognition and protection of roadless areas is urgently needed to halt their continued loss.

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