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Nature communications2014; 5; 3211; doi: 10.1038/ncomms4211

Long livestock farming history and human landscape shaping revealed by lake sediment DNA.

Abstract: The reconstruction of human-driven, Earth-shaping dynamics is important for understanding past human/environment interactions and for helping human societies that currently face global changes. However, it is often challenging to distinguish the effects of the climate from human activities on environmental changes. Here we evaluate an approach based on DNA metabarcoding used on lake sediments to provide the first high-resolution reconstruction of plant cover and livestock farming history since the Neolithic Period. By comparing these data with a previous reconstruction of erosive event frequency, we show that the most intense erosion period was caused by deforestation and overgrazing by sheep and cowherds during the Late Iron Age and Roman Period. Tracking plants and domestic mammals using lake sediment DNA (lake sedDNA) is a new, promising method for tracing past human practices, and it provides a new outlook of the effects of anthropogenic factors on landscape-scale changes.
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Publication Date: 2014-02-04 PubMed ID: 24487920DOI: 10.1038/ncomms4211Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article
  • Research Support
  • Non-U.S. Gov't

Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

This research article discusses the use of DNA metabarcoding on lake sediments to understand historical landscape changes, specifically those related to plant cover and livestock farming since the Neolithic Period. It is found that the most intense erosion phases were primarily due to deforestation and overgrazing by sheep and cow herds during the Late Iron Age and Roman Period.

Objectives of the Research

  • The main objective of this study is to better understand the history of Earth’s landscape changes, particularly those driven by human activities such as livestock farming and deforestation. This understanding is crucial in comprehending past human-environment interactions and in assisting contemporary societies dealing with global changes.

Methodology

  • The researchers used an approach based on DNA metabarcodingon lake sediments. This approach allows for a high-resolution reconstruction of the history of plant cover and livestock farming since the Neolithic Period. The DNA extracted from the lake sediments, referred to as lake sediment DNA (sedDNA), was used to track plants and domestic mammals.
  • The data gathered from this DNA metabarcoding was compared with a previously conducted reconstruction of the frequency of erosive events. The purpose of this was to determine the extent of the impact of human activities on environmental changes, separate from the effects of climate.

Findings

  • The study found that the most intense period of erosion was caused by deforestation and overgrazing by sheep and cowherds. This period corresponds to the Late Iron Age and Roman Period.
  • This revelation suggests that human activities indeed had a significant impact on landscape-scale changes. The study provides a new perspective on the effects of anthropogenic factors on the environment.

Significance of the Research

  • The use of lake sedDNA as a method to trace past human practices is a promising new tool in environmental and archaeological studies. It provides valuable insights into the historical dynamics of the Earth’s landscape and the role of human societies in those changes.
  • Understanding the impact of past human activities on the environment can help current societies develop more sustainable practices and adapt to global changes.

Cite This Article

APA
Giguet-Covex C, Pansu J, Arnaud F, Rey PJ, Griggo C, Gielly L, Domaizon I, Coissac E, David F, Choler P, Poulenard J, Taberlet P. (2014). Long livestock farming history and human landscape shaping revealed by lake sediment DNA. Nat Commun, 5, 3211. https://doi.org/10.1038/ncomms4211

Publication

Nature communications
ISSN: 2041-1723
NlmUniqueID: 101528555
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 5
Pages: 3211

Researcher Affiliations

Giguet-Covex, Charline
  • 1] Laboratoire d'Ecologie Alpine, CNRS UMR 5553, Université Joseph Fourier, 38041 Grenoble, France [2] EDYTEM, Université de Savoie, CNRS Pôle Montagne, 73376 Le Bourget du Lac, France [3].
Pansu, Johan
  • 1] Laboratoire d'Ecologie Alpine, CNRS UMR 5553, Université Joseph Fourier, 38041 Grenoble, France [2].
Arnaud, Fabien
  • EDYTEM, Université de Savoie, CNRS Pôle Montagne, 73376 Le Bourget du Lac, France.
Rey, Pierre-Jérôme
  • EDYTEM, Université de Savoie, CNRS Pôle Montagne, 73376 Le Bourget du Lac, France.
Griggo, Christophe
  • EDYTEM, Université de Savoie, CNRS Pôle Montagne, 73376 Le Bourget du Lac, France.
Gielly, Ludovic
  • Laboratoire d'Ecologie Alpine, CNRS UMR 5553, Université Joseph Fourier, 38041 Grenoble, France.
Domaizon, Isabelle
  • INRA, UMR042 CARRTEL, Thonon les Bains, France.
Coissac, Eric
  • Laboratoire d'Ecologie Alpine, CNRS UMR 5553, Université Joseph Fourier, 38041 Grenoble, France.
David, Fernand
  • CEREGE, Université Aix-Marseille, 13545 Aix en Provence, France.
Choler, Philippe
  • 1] Laboratoire d'Ecologie Alpine, CNRS UMR 5553, Université Joseph Fourier, 38041 Grenoble, France [2] Station Alpine Joseph Fourier, UMS 3370 CNRS - Université Joseph Fourier, 38041 Grenoble, France.
Poulenard, Jérôme
  • EDYTEM, Université de Savoie, CNRS Pôle Montagne, 73376 Le Bourget du Lac, France.
Taberlet, Pierre
  • Laboratoire d'Ecologie Alpine, CNRS UMR 5553, Université Joseph Fourier, 38041 Grenoble, France.

MeSH Terms

  • Alnus / chemistry
  • Animal Husbandry / history
  • Animals
  • Cattle
  • DNA / analysis
  • DNA / chemistry
  • DNA Barcoding, Taxonomic
  • France
  • Geologic Sediments / analysis
  • History, Ancient
  • Horses
  • Humans
  • Lakes
  • Pinus / chemistry
  • Sheep
  • Trees / chemistry

Citations

This article has been cited 40 times.
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