Wilderness
is land that has not been significantly modified by
direct or indirect human activity. Biosphere scientists
and landscape ecologists consider wilderness areas
to be an integral part of the self-sustaining natural
system of the Earth.
For most of human history, the greater part of the
Earth's terrain was wilderness, and attention was focused
on the settled areas. During the 19th century, it became
clear that in many countries, wild areas either had
disappeared or were in danger of disappearing, which
gave rise to the conservation movement (beginning partly
through the efforts of writers and activists like John
Burroughs and John Muir, and also those of U.S. President
Teddy Roosevelt).
However, as awareness of the ecological need for wilderness
areas has grown, so have the needs of mankind and the
perceived need for development.
The creation of national parks, beginning in the 19th
century, was sufficient to preserve some especially
attractive or notable areas for recreation, but the
pursuits of commerce and recreation resulted in continued
development of previously untouched areas. In the 20th
century the concept of wilderness areas was formally
defined, and areas were set aside in which human modifications
are highly restricted.
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