ABSTRACT

This book presents some of the most recent tools, methods and concepts in historical ecology. It introduces students and researchers to state-of-the-art techniques and showcases a wide array of methods dedicated to understanding the history of tropical landscapes. The chapters cover the detection and characterisation of archaeological features, living organisms as witnesses of past human activities, ethnoecological knowledge of ancient anthropogenic landscapes and societal impacts of historical ecology. Whilst mainly based on Amazonian experiences, the contributions aim to strengthen synergies between disciplines and to propose solutions that can be applied elsewhere in the field.

part I|69 pages

Detection and characterisation of archaeological features

chapter 2|8 pages

Pedological Perspective

Concepts and facts

chapter 3|9 pages

Soil Micromorphology

chapter 6|8 pages

Geomagnetic Survey

part II|53 pages

Living organisms as witnesses of past human activities

chapter 9|8 pages

Phytoliths

A tool for neotropical historical ecology, with a focus on bamboo-dominated forests

chapter 10|7 pages

Anthracology in the Tropics

How wood charcoals help us better understand today’s ecosystems

chapter |7 pages

Conclusion

Historical ecology: challenges and perspectives in a changing world