Global Human Footprint Data Set

The Global Human Footprint Data Set of the Last of the Wild Project, Version 2, 2005 (LWP-2) presents the Human Influence Index (HII) normalized by biome and realm. The HII is a global dataset of 1-kilometer grid cells created from nine global data layers covering human population pressure (population density population settlements), human land use and infrastructure (built up areas, nighttime lights, land use/land cover), and human access (coastlines, roads, railroads, navigable rivers). The data set can be downloaded in Band Interleaf (BIL) format. The data set was produced by the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) and the Columbia University Center for International Earth Science Information Network (CIESIN). The purpose is to provide an upgrade to existing maps of wild areas, which in turn can be used in modeling efforts, wildlife conservation planning, natural resource management, policy-making, biodiversity studies and human-environment interactions.