Historical human footprint on modern tree species composition in the Purus-Madeira interfluve, central Amazonia.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Native Amazonian populations managed forest resources in numerous ways, often creating oligarchic forests dominated by useful trees. The scale and spatial distribution of forest modification beyond pre-Columbian settlements is still unknown, although recent studies propose that human impact away from rivers was minimal. We tested the hypothesis that past human management of the useful tree community decreases with distance from rivers.

Methodology/principal findings

In six sites, we inventoried trees and palms with DBH≥10 cm and collected soil for charcoal analysis; we also mapped archaeological evidence around the sites. To quantify forest manipulation, we measured the relative abundance, richness and basal area of useful trees and palms. We found a strong negati

SUBMITTER: Levis C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3502455 | biostudies-literature | 2012

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature