The intensity of land use doubled in the 20th century

The growth of green plants – which can be measured in terms of “net primary production”, or NPP for short – provides the energetic foundation for all life on Earth. The share of NPP appropriated by humans (HANPP) through agriculture and forestry, bioenergy production, and vegetation fires doubled over the course of the past century. Researchers have shown that while land is used more efficiently, simultaneously, the intensity of land use has increased continuously. Researchers warn that an increased expansion of bioenergy use would drastically raise HANPP to over 40%.

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