Human movement

Migration by people from one place to another with the intentions of settling, permanently or temporarily in a new location.

Influences the following natural capital assets:

Influences the following ecosystem services:

Climate regulation

Global climate regulation is provided by nature through the long-term storage of carbon dioxide in soils, vegetable biomass, and the oceans. At a regional level, the climate is regulated by ocean currents and winds while, at local and micro-levels, vegetation can modify temperatures, humidity, and wind speeds.

Dilution by atmosphere and ecosystems

Water, both fresh and saline, and the atmosphere can dilute the gases, fluids and solid waste produced by human activity.

Mediation of sensory impacts

Vegetation is the main (natural) barrier used to reduce noise and light pollution, limiting the impact it can have on human health and the environment.

Pollination

Pollination services are provided by three main mechanisms: animals, water and wind. The majority of plants depend to some extent on animals that act as vectors, or pollinators, to perform the transfer of pollen.

Soil quality

Soil quality is provided through weathering processes, which maintain bio-geochemical conditions of soils including fertility and soil structure, and decomposition and fixing processes, which enables nitrogen fixing, nitrification and mineralisation of dead organic material.

Water flow maintenance

The hydrological cycle, also called water cycle or hydrologic cycle, is the system that enables circulation of water through the Earth’s atmosphere, land, and oceans. The hydrological cycle is responsible for recharge of groundwater sources (i.e. aquifers) and maintenance of surface water flows.

Data needs:

  • Change in immigration and emigration

Global driver layer