SUMMARY - Land Use, Urban Expansion, and Ecosystem Pressure
Human land use has transformed Earth's surface. More than 75% of ice-free land shows significant human modification. Agriculture occupies roughly 40% of land area. Urban areas sprawl across landscapes. Roads, mines, and energy infrastructure penetrate remaining wild areas. This transformation continuesâeach year, more natural land converts to human use. The pressure on ecosystems intensifies as human demands grow.