Population Distribution within 100 km of Coastlines
| Analytical Overview |
| This analysis was conducted using a new spatially explicit database reflecting global human population developed for PAGE. The database was developed based on population censuses from various countries and the estimates were standardized for the year 1995. If the map showing Natural versus Altered Landcover within 100 km of a Coastline is compared with this one, one can observe that high population density correlates with urban areas which is classified in the former as "altered" lands. The most uninhabited areas, as is expected, are in northern latitudes, where much of the "natural" land cover remains. |
Map Projection
Geographic
Map Description
This map shows the level of human modification of the coastal zone, by examining the population within 100 kilometres from the coast. As human population increases in coastal areas, so does pressure on coastal ecosystems through habitat conversion, increased pollution, and demand for coastal resources. The degree of direct human modification of coastal ecosystems can be inferred by looking at the population density within the coastal zone. Globally, the number of people living within 100 km of the coast increased from roughly 2 billion in 1990 to 2.2 billion in 1995—39 percent of the world's population.
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Citation:
World Resources Institute - PAGE, 2000
Sources:
- Center for International Earth Science Information Network (CIESIN); Columbia University; International Food Policy and Research Institute; and World Resources Institute. 2000, Gridded Population of the World, Version 2. Palisades, NY:CIESIN, Columbia University.
Available On-line at: Source Link.