Humans can increase biodiversity, archaeological study shows

Date:
April 9, 2024

Source:
University of Cologne

Summary:
Through the ages, the presence of humans has increased the heterogeneity and complexity of ecosystems and has often had a positive effect on their biodiversity.



Cultural diversity is likely to have an overall positive effect on the biodiversity of ecosystems. The homogenization of human life forms may therefore be regarded as an important motor of the ongoing major extinction events in the 'Age of Humans' (Anthropocene). Dr Shumon T. Hussain from the University of Cologne and Dr Chris Baumann from the University of Tübingen come to this conclusion in their recent article 'The human side of biodiversity: coevolution of the human niche, paleo-synanthropy and ecosystem complexity in the deep human past' published in the journal Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B.

The article fits into the current thematic focus 'Multispecies Conviviality' of the University of Cologne's Research Hub MESH (Multidisciplinary Environmental Studies in the Humanities).

In their publication, the scientists examine the role of past humans in the evolution and control of biodiversity on our planet.

The archaeologists offer a deep-time perspective grounded in material and ecological data to argue that the idea that humans had lived harmoniously with nature as hunter-gatherers mischaracterizes the fundamental problem of human interaction with ecosystems.

The scientists also criticize that in the recent past, with regard to the aforementioned extinction events, the so-called biodiversity loss in the Anthropocene, attempts have often been made to highlight that people had actively intervened in their ecosystem more than 10,000 years ago, notably with negative consequences.

More:
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/04/240409124009.htm#:~:text=Cultural%20diversity%20is%20likely%20to,of%20Humans'%20(Anthropocene).