Mapping the Constructed Surface Area Density for China

Efforts to map the constructed surface area density of the world using nighttime satellite imagery have typically been validated using aerial photography or high resolution satellite imagery in the United States and extrapolating regression parameters to countries outside of the United States. In a previous study, we found China to have ‘paved’ more of the planet than any other country (~87,00 km2). Here we use a google earth based web application to validate our estimates of anthropogenic impervious surface (constructed area density) in China using actual imagery of China. ‘Paving the Planet’ is a universal phenomenon – akin to clothing – and represents one of the primary anthropogenic modifications of the environment. Expansion in population numbers and economies combined with the increased use of automobiles has led to the sprawl of development and a wide proliferation of constructed impervious surfaces. Constructed impervious surfaces are both hydrological and ecological disturbances. However, constructed surfaces are different from most other types of disturbances in that recovery is arrested through the use of materials that are resistant to decay and are actively maintained. The same characteristics that make impervious surfaces ideal for use in construction produce a series of effects on the environment. We present a new map of the density of constructed surface in China derived from DMSP nighttime lights and LandScan population count data