AbstractHuman impact inferred from palynological analysis is an important field of investigation among palaeoecological studies. Reconstructing and quantifying human impact (e.g. farming activities, clearing, fire, erosion process) is an important step to understand how, when and to what extent humans have changed ecosystems and landscape during the Holocene. The study of Non-Pollen Palynomorphs (NPPs) has opened a new field of investigation and improved our knowledge of past human impact. However, NPPs analysis further is a “young science” and questions about their specific use to highlight human activities have been arising. In addition to taxa used as anthropogenic indicators in palynology, NPPs provide reliable information about human impact, in terms of grazing pressure, soil erosion, fire in relation with land management and lakes eutrophication. We propose here a review of current knowledge on the use of NPPs as proxies for human impact, with emphasis on the contribution of modern studies. The purpose of this chapter is to explore some specific questions that both beginners and more experienced scientists may have about methodology in data acquisition and result interpretation. Each section addresses a specific question and a choice of examples illustrates the potential of NPPs as anthropogenic indicators. As Shumilovskikh and van Geel (2020) have recently published a paper about NPPs in archaeological context, we have focused on the use of NPPs as anthropogenic indicators in studies investigating natural archives such as lakes and wetlands.
Utilizing multiple hydrogeologic and anthropogenic indicators to understand zones of groundwater contribution to water-supply wells near Kirtland Air Force Base Bulk Fuels Facility in southeast Albuquerque, New Mexico
