Anthroposphere

Abstract

The anthroposphere may be defined as the part of the environment that is made or modified by humans. Put differently, the anthroposphere is the sphere of the earth system or its subsystems where human activities constitute a significant source of change through the use and subsequent transformation of natural resources, as well as through the deposition of waste and emissions. Since the end of the 18th century, population growth and the technology advances have made humans the dominant drivers of change to the earth system as a whole and most of its subsystems (Crutzen 2002)1. In low- and middle-income countries, human activities are still heavily based on the use of natural resources, renewable or non-renewable. The cultural habits, technological knowledge, and preferences determine the state and change of regional anthropospheres. © 2010 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg.