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Human expansion into Asian highlands in the 21st Century and its effects

Author

Listed:
  • Chao Yang

    (Shenzhen University
    Shenzhen University)

  • Huizeng Liu

    (Shenzhen University
    Shenzhen University)

  • Qingquan Li

    (Shenzhen University)

  • Xuqing Wang

    (China Geological Survey)

  • Wei Ma

    (Chongqing Jiaotong University)

  • Cuiling Liu

    (Shenzhen University
    Shenzhen University)

  • Xu Fang

    (Shenzhen University
    Shenzhen University)

  • Yuzhi Tang

    (Shenzhen University)

  • Tiezhu Shi

    (Shenzhen University
    Shenzhen University)

  • Qibiao Wang

    (Anhui Zhonghui Urban Planning Survey & Design Institute)

  • Yue Xu

    (Shenzhen University)

  • Jie Zhang

    (China Agricultural University)

  • Xuecao Li

    (China Agricultural University)

  • Gang Xu

    (Wuhan University)

  • Junyi Chen

    (Nanjing Normal University)

  • Mo Su

    (Shenzhen Urban Planning and Land Resource Research Center)

  • Shuying Wang

    (Shenzhen University)

  • Jinjing Wu

    (Shenzhen University)

  • Leping Huang

    (Shenzhen University)

  • Xue Li

    (Shenzhen University)

  • Guofeng Wu

    (Shenzhen University
    Shenzhen University)

Abstract

Most intensive human activities occur in lowlands. However, sporadic reports indicate that human activities are expanding in some Asian highlands. Here we investigate the expansions of human activities in highlands and their effects over Asia from 2000 to 2020 by combining earth observation data and socioeconomic data. We find that ∼23% of human activity expansions occur in Asian highlands and ∼76% of these expansions in highlands comes from ecological lands, reaching 95% in Southeast Asia. The expansions of human activities in highlands intensify habitat fragmentation and result in large ecological costs in low and lower-middle income countries, and they also support Asian developments. We estimate that cultivated land net growth in the Asian highlands contributed approximately 54% in preventing the net loss of the total cultivated land. Moreover, the growth of highland artificial surfaces may provide living and working spaces for ∼40 million people. Our findings suggest that highland developments hold dual effects and provide new insight for regional sustainable developments.

Suggested Citation

  • Chao Yang & Huizeng Liu & Qingquan Li & Xuqing Wang & Wei Ma & Cuiling Liu & Xu Fang & Yuzhi Tang & Tiezhu Shi & Qibiao Wang & Yue Xu & Jie Zhang & Xuecao Li & Gang Xu & Junyi Chen & Mo Su & Shuying W, 2022. "Human expansion into Asian highlands in the 21st Century and its effects," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 13(1), pages 1-12, December.
  • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:13:y:2022:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-022-32648-8
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-32648-8
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
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