Simple scale for assessing anthropogenic pressure on the environment

Abstract

Abstract The article describes a new simple author five-point scale of assessing anthropogenic pressure on the environment, based on the conducted investigations in various parts of the urban and suburban landscapes which were changed to various degrees by human activity. A feature of this method is a simple and quick estimation of the degree of anthropogenic transformation, on the basis of the visual observations (expert estimation) without the use of sophisticated specialized laboratory equipment and methods. There are some main criteria used in the process of performance of estimation of the environmental conditions according to the proposed methodology. The most advisable usage of the scale in the conditions of urban natural communities (urbosystems) and suburban areas (on the studying of which it was designed) during the environmental and biological investigations by schoolchildren, students and also postgraduate students and scientists.