Human Biomass Movement is 40 Times Greater than Terrestrial Organisms

Reference

According to a study published in the journal Nature Ecology and Evolution, the biomass movement of humans on Earth is 40 times greater than that of all terrestrial animals, birds, and insects combined.

Meaning of Biomass Movement

• Definition: The biomass movement of a species is defined as the product of its total biomass (total weight) and the distance traveled per year.
• Example:
  • The Arctic Tern, a bird weighing only 100 grams, travels 90,000 km each year.
  • Despite this, its total biomass movement is only 0.016 gigatons per kilometer per year (Gt/km/yr).
  • The biomass movement of African elephants is estimated to be approximately 7 Gt/km/yr.

Human Biomass Movement: A Global Impact

• According to a recent study, the biomass movement of humans is 4,000 Gt/km/yr.
  • This is 40 times greater than the combined estimate of all terrestrial wildlife, birds, and insects.
  • It is also 6 times greater than the maximum biomass movement estimated for all terrestrial animals.
• According to the scientists, “This study demonstrates that humans are a species on Earth that has become a planetary force. We must understand that just as we impact the environment, we also have a responsibility to protect it.”

The Scale of Human Mobility

• According to the study, an average human travels approximately 30 km per day.
• Of this, approximately 65% ​​is by car and motorcycle, 10% by airplane, and 5% by train or metro.
• Two-thirds of all motorized travel occurs in high- or upper-middle-income countries.

Compared to other species

• The total biomass movement of all terrestrial wild mammals (excluding bats) is estimated at 30 Gt/km/yr.
• This movement has declined the most in larger animals that migrate long distances.
• Interestingly, the biomass movement of domestic animals was found to be approximately equal to that of humans, with non-dairy cattle contributing the most.

Impact on Marine Life

• Studies have shown that marine biomass movement, once the highest on Earth, has half since 1850.
• The main reason for this is industrial fishing.
• Whaling: These activities have severely impacted marine ecosystems.

Human Impact on Ecology

• The movement of both humans and animals has profound effects on the ecosystem:
  • Transport of nutrients and organisms
  • Changes in ecosystem structure
  • Impacts on biodiversity.
• But the unusually high mobility of humans has made it clear that we are not only part of the environment, but have become a major factor in its transformation.

Conclusion

This study demonstrates the global scale of human activities. We are not only the most mobile species on Earth's surface, but our mobility has profoundly impacted climate change, pollution, and ecological balance. Therefore, it is essential that humanity balances its dynamic power with responsibility and environmental protection, so that the natural balance of life on Earth is maintained.