Global Socioeconomic Data for Understanding Human-Environment Interactions
Alex
M.
de Sherbinin, Socioeconomic Data and Applications Center (SEDAC) of CIESIN, Columbia University, adesherbinin@ciesin.columbia.edu
(Presenting)
Robert
S.
Chen, Socioeconomic Data and Applications Center (SEDAC) of CIESIN, Columbia University, bchen@ciesin.columbia.edu
Despite the longstanding recognition of the human drivers of habitat loss and over-exploitation of biotic resources, as well as the impacts of biodiversity loss on society, the development of global socioeconomic and environmental datasets to support research on global-scale human-environment interactions has been slow. We report here on recent efforts to improve global spatial data on population distribution, urban extent, income distribution and poverty, natural hazards, the human influence on the environment, and environmental sustainability. We highlight selected applications of these data in the realm of biodiversity science. We also identify key gaps and areas for future development, e.g., with regard to development of consistent time series and projections and data on human infrastructure.