Natural wilderness areas need buffer zones to protect from human development

EarthzineEcosystems

Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribune. A view from the Chisos Mountains in Big Bend National Park.

Despite heavy development, the United States still has millions of acres of pristine wild lands. Coveted for their beauty, these wilderness areas draw innumerable outdoor enthusiasts eager for a taste of primitive nature. But researchers say these federally protected nature areas have a problem: Their boundaries have become prime real estate.