10.1126/science.aaf7166
https://zenodo.org/records/235880
oai:zenodo.org:235880
Ibisch, Pierre L.
Pierre L.
Ibisch
Centre for Econics and Ecosystem Management, Eberswalde University for Sustainable Development, Alfred-Moeller-Str. 1, 16225 Eberswalde, Germany, Society for Conservation Biology - Europe Section
Hoffmann, Monika T.
Monika T.
Hoffmann
Centre for Econics and Ecosystem Management, Eberswalde University for Sustainable Development, Alfred-Moeller-Str. 1, 16225 Eberswalde, Germany
Kreft, Stefan
Stefan
Kreft
Centre for Econics and Ecosystem Management, Eberswalde University for Sustainable Development, Alfred-Moeller-Str. 1, 16225 Eberswalde, Germany, Society for Conservation Biology - Europe Section
Pe'er, Guy
Guy
Pe'er
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
Kati, Vassiliki
Vassiliki
Kati
Society for Conservation Biology - Europe Section, Department of Environmental & Natural Resources Management. University of Patras, Seferi 2, 30100 Agrinio, Greece
Biber-Freudenberger, Lisa
Lisa
Biber-Freudenberger
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
DellaSala, Dominick A.
Dominick A.
DellaSala
Geos Institute, 84-4th St., Ashland, OR 97520; Society for Conservation Biology – North America Section
Vale, Mariana M.
Mariana M.
Vale
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
Hobson, Peter R.
Peter R.
Hobson
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
Selva, Nuria
Nuria
Selva
Institute of Nature Conservation, Polish Academy of Sciences, Mickiewicza 33, 31-120 Kraków, Poland
A global map of roadless areas and their conservation status
Zenodo
2016
2016-12-16
ODC Open Database License v1.0
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.