Scale in studies of pre-colonial forests: a reply to Armstrong et al

Article Biodiversity Conservation

Historical ecology of forest garden management in Laxyuubm Ts'msyen and beyond

Chelsey Geralda Armstrong et al.

Summary: Cultural land-use plays a significant role in ecosystem change, especially in shaping the composition of species in a region over time. Recent research in northwestern North America focuses on how historical Indigenous land-use and forest management have created relict forest gardens dominated by edible trees and shrubs. This research combines archaeological and ecological methods to better understand the historical ecology of these forest gardens, and identifies indicator species that are culturally significant. The study also reveals evidence of pre-colonial forest management practices and emphasizes the importance of revitalizing and supporting Indigenous peoples' role in sustaining these cultural landscapes.

ECOSYSTEMS AND PEOPLE (2023)

Add to Collection

Article Ecology

Holocene fire regimes, fire-related plant functional types, and climate in south-coastal British Columbia forests

Camille Giuliano et al.

Summary: Paleoecological records from lake sediments on Pender Island, Canada, were used to reconstruct fire regimes over the past 10,000 years and understand their interaction with climate and forest composition. The study found that the early Holocene was characterized by frequent fires and open-canopy forests dominated by fire-enduring species. However, as temperature and moisture decreased, fire return intervals lengthened and a mixed fire regime of low to moderate-intensity fires emerged. The findings highlight the importance of long-term interactions between vegetation and fire in shaping fire regimes and forest dynamics.

ECOSPHERE (2023)

Add to Collection

Article Ecology

Localized Native American impacts on past forest composition across a regional extent in north-eastern United States

Stephen J. Tulowiecki et al.

Summary: This study examines the impact of Native American land use on tree species composition in the north-eastern United States before Euro-American settlement. The results suggest that Native American land use had no detectable effect on forest composition at a regional level, but locally increased the abundance of fire-tolerant, shade-intolerant, and nut-producing trees.

JOURNAL OF BIOGEOGRAPHY (2022)

Add to Collection

Editorial Material Green & Sustainable Science & Technology