tropical forest writes much of its history at large scale, producing
trees as tall as skyscrapers and flowers the size of carry-on luggage.
But by zooming in, scientists are uncovering chapters in forest history
that were influenced by human activity far earlier than anyone thought.
A new study of pollen samples extracted from tropical forests in
southeast Asia suggests humans have shaped these landscapes for
thousands of years. Although scientists previously believed the forests
were virtually untouched by people, researchers are now pointing to
signs of imported seeds, plants cultivated for food, and land clearing
as early as 11,000 years ago—around the end of the last Ice Age.
The study, to be published in the peer-reviewed Journal of Archaeological Science comes from researchers led by paleoecologist Chris Hunt, of Queen’s University, Belfast, who analyzed existing data and examined samples from Borneo, Sumatra, Java, Thailand and Vietnam.
Read more: http://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/remnants-prehistoric-plant-pollen-reveal-humans-shaped-forests-11000-years-ago-180949985/#KYZF8xMbRAa6tyWW.99
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The study, to be published in the peer-reviewed Journal of Archaeological Science comes from researchers led by paleoecologist Chris Hunt, of Queen’s University, Belfast, who analyzed existing data and examined samples from Borneo, Sumatra, Java, Thailand and Vietnam.
Read more: http://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/remnants-prehistoric-plant-pollen-reveal-humans-shaped-forests-11000-years-ago-180949985/#KYZF8xMbRAa6tyWW.99
Give the gift of Smithsonian magazine for only $12! http://bit.ly/1cGUiGv
Follow us: @SmithsonianMag on Twitter
The discoveries could boost indigenous populations' claims to ancestral lands long thought to be untouched by human activity
Read more: http://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/remnants-prehistoric-plant-pollen-reveal-humans-shaped-forests-11000-years-ago-180949985/#KYZF8xMbRAa6tyWW.99
Give the gift of Smithsonian magazine for only $12! http://bit.ly/1cGUiGv
Follow us: @SmithsonianMag on Twitter
The discoveries could boost indigenous populations' claims to ancestral lands long thought to be untouched by human activity
Read more: http://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/remnants-prehistoric-plant-pollen-reveal-humans-shaped-forests-11000-years-ago-180949985/#KYZF8xMbRAa6tyWW.99
Give the gift of Smithsonian magazine for only $12! http://bit.ly/1cGUiGv
Follow us: @SmithsonianMag on Twitter
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