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As time goes by, we are more aware of human impact on Earth. This is not something new, climate change and human impact have always been associated, but what climate science has discovered comes from way before. In 1874, data about all the different human activities done in the world was collected until today. This data has been kept in the
BioTIME
, which is like a library full of information about life, and shows the global change throughout 150 years.
Thanks to this data, we can see the huge human impact on our planet from 1874 until now, and how this has being increasing with time.
Our planet is going through a lot
More than 150 years ago, human impact started to be collected and this information had to do with humans observing nature by looking at birds, measuring trees and things like that. As you can see, no technology was involved, but that changes as time passes because human impact is related to the use of technology now.
This information is kept in the BioTIME to show a clear image of the many changes the world has gone through.
What’s that BioTIME thing?
BioTIME was created in 1874 and it is considered the ‘library of life’ because it collects important data about human beings, animals and other information about certain species and their changes.
This database contains more than 11.9 million registers from more than 550,000 different places in the world. This is a powerful tool for the climate science field and its researchers to study the global change.
It is not the same amount of fish back in 1940 than now, so this is all counted by this database. Also, BioTIME tells us where some species have moved and how the ecosystems have changed which affects the balance of nature.
Human impact is still an important cause on the global change
Apart from studying aspects about the amount of extinct animals or the changes in their systems, human impact is also tracked.
Deforestation or the increasing population in cities and, therefore, more constructions that occupy more lands, are some of the actions with their origins on the human impact. What’s more, scientists use BioTIME to make sure if protected areas are really working. With all this data scientists can study what life could change if we continue like this and no measure is done.
BioTIME is not as perfect as you may think
This database is a remarkable source for science as you have seen, taking into account all the previous information about it. However, it also has some limitations.
As it has been mentioned, this database contains data from all parts of the world, but it is unbalanced. There is way more information about Europe and North America than about Africa or Asia.
Another negative aspect is the little representation of insects registered in this database. I don’t know if you know, but insects are the majority of animals in the world. So, this is not very informative seeing the amount of insects living on planet Earth.
Should we give importance to this database?
For sure! This information makes us have a clearer image about the constant changes without being noticed. We should take this BioTIME as a warning to take action.
Reducing human impact with the help of governments
, NGOs and even ourselves is the only solution to try avoiding damaging nature as much as we are doing now. This would be a step forward to a better future for human beings and the recovery of ecosystems. Were you aware of all the harm we are causing our planet?
