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Unveiling patterns in human dominated landscapes through mapping the mass of US built structures

Author

Listed:
  • David Frantz

    (Trier University
    Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin)

  • Franz Schug

    (Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin
    Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin
    University of Wisconsin)

  • Dominik Wiedenhofer

    (University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna)

  • André Baumgart

    (University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna)

  • Doris Virág

    (University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna)

  • Sam Cooper

    (Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin)

  • Camila Gómez-Medina

    (Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin)

  • Fabian Lehmann

    (Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin)

  • Thomas Udelhoven

    (Trier University)

  • Sebastian Linden

    (University of Greifswald)

  • Patrick Hostert

    (Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin
    Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin)

  • Helmut Haberl

    (University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna)

Abstract

Built structures increasingly dominate the Earth’s landscapes; their surging mass is currently overtaking global biomass. We here assess built structures in the conterminous US by quantifying the mass of 14 stock-building materials in eight building types and nine types of mobility infrastructures. Our high-resolution maps reveal that built structures have become 2.6 times heavier than all plant biomass across the country and that most inhabited areas are mass-dominated by buildings or infrastructure. We analyze determinants of the material intensity and show that densely built settlements have substantially lower per-capita material stocks, while highest intensities are found in sparsely populated regions due to ubiquitous infrastructures. Out-migration aggravates already high intensities in rural areas as people leave while built structures remain – highlighting that quantifying the distribution of built-up mass at high resolution is an essential contribution to understanding the biophysical basis of societies, and to inform strategies to design more resource-efficient settlements and a sustainable circular economy.

Suggested Citation

  • David Frantz & Franz Schug & Dominik Wiedenhofer & André Baumgart & Doris Virág & Sam Cooper & Camila Gómez-Medina & Fabian Lehmann & Thomas Udelhoven & Sebastian Linden & Patrick Hostert & Helmut Hab, 2023. "Unveiling patterns in human dominated landscapes through mapping the mass of US built structures," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-12, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:14:y:2023:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-023-43755-5
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-43755-5
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    References listed on IDEAS

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