The Global Human Footprint Dataset of the Last of the Wild Project,
Version 2, 2005 (LWP-2) is the Human Influence Index (HII) normalized
by biome and realm. The HII is a global dataset of 1-kilometer grid
cells, created from nine global data layers covering human population
pressure (population density), human land use and infrastructure
(built-up areas, nighttime lights, land use/land cover), and human
access (coastlines, roads, railroads, navigable rivers). The dataset
is produced by the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) and the
Columbia University Center for International Earth Science Information
Network (CIESIN).
The Human Footprint Index (HF)
expressses as a percentage the relative human influence in each
terrestrial biome. HF values range from 0 to 100. A value of
zero represents the least influenced - the "most
wild" part of the biome with value of 100 representing the
most influenced (least wild) part of the biome.