Human Activities Disrupting Biosphere Balance, Study Finds

Human Activities Disrupting Biosphere Balance, Study Finds
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Human civilization depends on ecosystems that regulate vital processes like carbon, water, and nutrient cycles, an article by Earth.com revealed. However, increasing human pressures are pushing many natural systems beyond safe limits, threatening the planet’s stability.

A new study by the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research and BOKU University, published in One Earth, maps the planetary boundary of “functional biosphere integrity”—the ability of vegetation to sustain Earth’s essential cycles. The research shows that 60% of global land is now outside safe zones, with 38% in high-risk categories.

Using measures of human biomass use (HANPP) and ecosystem disturbance (EcoRisk), the study reveals that humanity crossed safe ecological boundaries by 1900 due to agricultural expansion. By 1990, biosphere integrity was in the high-risk zone globally, driven by deforestation, fertilizer use, and climate change. Regions like Europe, Asia, and North America are most impacted, while even remote areas face stress from climate change.

PIK Director Johan Rockström emphasized the need to integrate biosphere protection with climate action, highlighting their crucial role in mitigating climate change and sustaining life on Earth. Protecting ecosystems and managing resource use sustainably are essential to preserve planetary balance.