Global environmental systems – multivariate anthropoecological classification

Changes to the Earth's environment, increasing anthropogenic pressure, and the global decline of biodiversity bring the need to establish spatial frameworks for the monitoring and assessment of such dynamic processes. Several environmental stratifications have been developed at the global level; however, most of them only include natural conditions in the classification process. Incorporating spatial patterns of biodiversity and the degree of anthropogenic pressure seems to be essential in an era of significant environmental transformation. We developed a new comprehensive classification of Global Environmental Systems based on general abiotic gradients, distribution of biodiversity, and spatial differentiation of human impact. This classification is based on 22 variables covering abiotic, biotic, and anthropogenic factors. We identified 10 abiotic, biotic, and anthropogenic classes using cluster analysis; their combination results in 169 unique Global Environmental Systems (GES) showing human-environment interactions. Each class shows an area with similar abiotic and biotic background and human pressure..