The role of human disturbance in the local Late Holocene establishment of Fagus and Picea forests at Flahult, Western Sm�land, Southern Sweden

At Ounjougou, a site complex situated in the Yamé River valley on the Bandiagara Plateau (Dogon country, Mali), multidisciplinary research has revealed a rich archaeological and paleoenvironmental sequence used to reconstruct the history of human-environment interactions, especially during the Late Holocene (3500–300 cal BC). Geomorphological, archaeological, and archaeobotanical data coming from different sites and contexts were combined in order to elaborate a chronocultural and environmental model for this period. Bayesian analysis of 54 14C dates included within the general Late Holocene stratigraphy of Ounjougou provides better accuracy for limits of the main chronological units, as well as for some particularly important events, like the onset of agriculture in the region. The scenario that can be proposed in the current state of research shows an increasing role of anthropogenic fires from the 3rd millennium cal BC onwards, and the appearance of food production during the 2nd millennium cal BC, coupled with a distinctive cultural break. The Late Holocene sequence ends around 300 cal BC with an important sedimentary hiatus that lasts until the end of the 4th century cal AD.

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Correction to: Does the shape make a difference? Evaluating the ethnic role of cranial modification in the Pampa-Patagonia region (Argentina) during the late Holocene

Archaeological and Anthropological Sciences ◽

10.1007/s12520-020-01010-8 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 12 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Alejandro Serna ◽

Luciano Prates ◽

Gustavo Flensborg ◽

Gustavo Martínez ◽

Cristian Favier Dubois ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Late Holocene ◽

Cranial Modification

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Eurasian Beaver (Castor fiber) Winter Foraging Preferences in Northern Poland—The Role of Woody Vegetation Composition and Anthropopression Level

Animals ◽

10.3390/ani10081376 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 10 (8) ◽

pp. 1376

Author(s):

Mateusz Jackowiak ◽

Peter Busher ◽

Dagny Krauze-Gryz

Keyword(s):

Linear Model ◽

Plant Species ◽

Human Disturbance ◽

Generalized Linear Model ◽

Woody Plants ◽

Woody Species ◽

Eurasian Beaver ◽

Northern Poland ◽

Foraging Preferences

We studied beavers’ dietary preferences and the role of several factors (such as plant species, size and anthropopression level) that affect the beavers’ foraging in northern Poland. Woody plants along the river were measured and classified according to species in six 100 m-long transects that were characterized by a diversified human disturbance level. Ivlev’s electivity index was used to present the beavers’ preferences for various plant species and sizes, and the generalized linear model was used to assess the significance of studied factors in beavers’ browsing choices. Most popular in the beavers’ diets were willows (Salix), maples (Acer) and alder (Alnus), but only willows and maples were preferred. We noted a decrease in the beavers’ foraging preference in parallel to an increase in the shoot diameter; plants with a diameter below 10 cm were preferred. All factors included in the generalized linear model (GLM) were significant in shaping the beavers’ foraging choices. A negative correlation between the shoot diameter and the human disturbance level was found, but the species composition of the browsed woody plants was the same in each transect. Beavers’ foraging preferences, as observed in our study, were similar to those described in the literature and confirmed the role of woody species and their diameters in shaping the beavers’ diet. We also suggested the potential role of anthropopression in the shaping of the beavers’ foraging behaviors.

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