- Dataset Availability
- 2022-01-01T00:00:00Z–2022-12-31T00:00:00Z
- Dataset Producer
- The Nature Conservancy
- Cadence
- 1 Year
- Tags
Description
The Global Human Modification v3 dataset measures cumulative human pressures on global terrestrial ecosystems (excluding Antarctica). It tracks data from 1990 to 2022 and is intended to help quantify human impact for conservation planning, policy-making, and research.
This is the 2022 static snapshot ("s" series) available at 90 meter resolution. Because it uses updated satellite and land-cover inputs, it is not recommended for direct quantitative comparison with the 1990–2020 "c" series.
The modification score per pixel is calculated using the formula: modification = footprint proportion multiplied by stressor intensity. The data values are stored as 32-bit floats ranging from 0.0 to 1.0, where 0.0 indicates no detectable human modification and 1.0 represents the maximum modeled modification.
This dataset provides data for eight IUCN-aligned threat categories, plus one combined index. It was rigorously validated using a spatially balanced sample from the Global Land Use Emergent Dataset (GLUED). It achieved a root-mean-squared error (RMSE) of 0.178 at 90m.
Bands
Bands
Pixel size: 90 meters (all bands)
| Name | Min | Max | Pixel Size | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
All_threats_combined |
0 | 1 | 90 meters | All threats combined (overall modification) |
Agriculture |
0 | 1 | 90 meters | Agriculture (croplands, forestry) |
Built_up |
0 | 1 | 90 meters | Built-Up (residential, commercial, recreation areas) |
Energy_production_and_mining |
0 | 1 | 90 meters | Energy production and mining |
Biological_resource_use |
0 | 1 | 90 meters | Biological resource use |
Human_accessibility |
0 | 1 | 90 meters | Human accessibility (roads, trails, infrastructure) |
Natural_system_modification |
0 | 1 | 90 meters | Natural system modification (e.g., dams, water regulation) |
Pollution |
0 | 1 | 90 meters | Pollution |
Transportation_and_service_corridors |
0 | 1 | 90 meters | Transportation and service corridors |
Terms of Use
Terms of Use
Citations
Theobald, D.M., Oakleaf, J.R., Moncrieff, G., Voigt, M., Kiesecker, J. & Kennedy, C.M. (2025). Global extent and change in human modification of terrestrial ecosystems from 1990 to 2022. Scientific Data 12, 489. doi:10.1038/s41597-025-04892-2
DOIs
Explore with Earth Engine
Code Editor (JavaScript)
var dataset = ee.ImageCollection('TNC/HM/v3/90m_s'); var visualization = { bands: ['All_threats_combined'], min: 0.0, max: 1.0, palette: ['0c0c0c', '071aff', 'ff0000', 'ffbd03', 'fbff05', 'fffdfd'] }; Map.centerObject(dataset); Map.addLayer(dataset, visualization, 'TNC Global Human Modification v3 (Static Snapshot 90m)');