Wilderness
Wilderness refers to natural landscapes that remain largely free from substantial human alteration or habitation. In practice, wilderness areas are typically remote, undeveloped, and dominated by ecological processes that operate with little direct human control. They contain representative ecosystems—forests, deserts, mountains, wetlands—that support native flora and fauna and provide opportunities for solitude, quiet recreation, and scientific observation.
Legal and policy frameworks designate wilderness to protect ecological integrity. In the United States, the Wilderness
Historical and cultural context: the conservation movement framed wilderness as a national and global resource, balancing