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Guiry E, Robson HK. Deep antiquity of seagrasses supporting European eel fisheries in the western Baltic. Proc Biol Sci 2024; 291:20240674. [PMID: 39043239 PMCID: PMC11265904 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2024.0674] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2023] [Accepted: 05/22/2024] [Indexed: 07/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Protecting ocean habitats is critical for international efforts to mitigate climate impacts and ensure food security, but the ecological data upon which policy makers base conservation and restoration targets often reflect ecosystems that have already been deeply impacted by anthropogenic change. The archaeological record is a biomolecular archive offering a temporal scope that cannot be gathered from historical records or contemporary fieldwork. Insights from biogeochemical and osteometric analyses of fish bones, combined with context from contemporary field studies, show how prehistoric fisheries in the western Baltic relied on seagrass meadows. European eels (Anguilla anguilla) harvested by Mesolithic and Neolithic peoples over millennia showed a strong fidelity for eelgrass foraging habitats, an ecological relationship that remains largely overlooked today, demonstrating the value of protecting these habitats. These data open new windows onto ecosystem- and species-level behaviours, highlighting the need for wider incorporation of archaeological data in strategies for protecting our oceans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric Guiry
- Department of Anthropology, Trent University, 1600 Westbank Drive, Peterborough, Ontario, Canada K9L 0G2
- School of Archaeology and Ancient History, University of Leicester, Mayor's Walk, Leicester LE1 7RH, UK
| | - Harry K. Robson
- BioArCh, Department of Archaeology, University of York, Heslington, York YO10 5DD, UK
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Guiry E, Kennedy JR, Malcom C, Miller M, Hall O, Buckley M, Szpak P. Archaeological evidence for long-term human impacts on sea turtle foraging behaviour. ROYAL SOCIETY OPEN SCIENCE 2024; 11:240120. [PMID: 39021767 PMCID: PMC11253035 DOI: 10.1098/rsos.240120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2024] [Revised: 03/18/2024] [Accepted: 06/05/2024] [Indexed: 07/20/2024]
Abstract
Early conservation efforts to prevent the loss of green sea turtles (Chelonia mydas) from the Caribbean Sea jumpstarted marine habitat and biodiversity protection. However, even there, limitations on historical observations of turtle ecology have hampered efforts to contextualize foraging behaviours for conservation management. We integrate isotopic and zooarchaeological evidence from green sea turtles harvested at the Miskito Cays (Nicaragua) to assess foraging behaviour before and after a step change in harvesting intensity. Highly structured isotopic evidence shows greater foraging adaptability in earlier populations. This provides a counterpoint to recent synthesis, suggesting the ecological non-exchangeability of sea turtles, which complicates conservation planning focused on genetic-stock-based repopulation. In contrast, our results suggest future populations would have a capacity for higher degrees of ecological exchangeability than current perspectives allow. This highlights a need to consider the kinds of longer term perspectives, such as those offered by archaeological materials, when planning for future sea turtle recovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric Guiry
- Department of Anthropology, Trent University, 1600 West Bank Drive, Peterborough, OntarioK9L 0G2, Canada
- School of Archaeology and Ancient History, University of Leicester, Mayor’s Walk, LeicesterLE1 7RH, UK
| | - J. Ryan Kennedy
- Department of Anthropology, Indiana University Bloomington, 701 East Kirkwood Avenue, Bloomington, IN47405, USA
| | - Corey Malcom
- Florida Keys History Center, 700 Fleming Street, Key West, FL33040, USA
| | - Mariah Miller
- Department of Anthropology, Trent University, 1600 West Bank Drive, Peterborough, OntarioK9L 0G2, Canada
| | - Olivia Hall
- Department of Anthropology, Trent University, 1600 West Bank Drive, Peterborough, OntarioK9L 0G2, Canada
| | - Michael Buckley
- School of Natural Sciences, Manchester Institute of Biotechnology, University of Manchester, 131 Princess Street, ManchesterM17 DN, UK
| | - Paul Szpak
- Department of Anthropology, Trent University, 1600 West Bank Drive, Peterborough, OntarioK9L 0G2, Canada
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Hussain ST, Baumann C. The human side of biodiversity: coevolution of the human niche, palaeo-synanthropy and ecosystem complexity in the deep human past. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 2024; 379:20230021. [PMID: 38583478 PMCID: PMC10999276 DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2023.0021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2023] [Accepted: 12/18/2023] [Indexed: 04/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Today's biodiversity crisis fundamentally threatens the habitability of the planet, thus ranking among the primary human challenges of our time. Much emphasis is currently placed on the loss of biodiversity in the Anthropocene, yet these debates often portray biodiversity as a purely natural phenomenon without much consideration of its human dimensions and frequently lack long-term vistas. This paper offers a deep-time perspective on the key role of the evolving human niche in ecosystem functioning and biodiversity dynamics. We summarize research on past hunter-gatherer ecosystem contributions and argue that human-environment feedback systems with important biodiversity consequences are probably a recurrent feature of the Late Pleistocene, perhaps with even deeper roots. We update current understandings of the human niche in this light and suggest that the formation of palaeo-synanthropic niches in other animals proffers a powerful model system to investigate recursive interactions of foragers and ecosystems. Archaeology holds important knowledge here and shows that ecosystem contributions vary greatly in relation to different human lifeways, some of which are lost today. We therefore recommend paying more attention to the intricate relationship between biodiversity and cultural diversity, contending that promotion of the former depends on fostering the latter. This article is part of the theme issue 'Ecological novelty and planetary stewardship: biodiversity dynamics in a transforming biosphere'.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shumon T. Hussain
- MESH – Center for Multidisciplinary Environmental Studies in the Humanities & Institute of Prehistoric Archaeology, University of Cologne, Weyertal 59, 50937 Cologne, Germany
- Department of Archaeology and Heritage Studies, Aarhus University, Moesgård Allé 20, 8270 Højbjerg, Denmark
- BIOCHANGE – Center for Biodiversity Dynamics in a Changing World, Department of Biology, Aarhus University, Ny Munkegade 116, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - Chris Baumann
- Biogeology Research Group, Department of Geosciences, University of Tübingen, Hölderlinstrasse 12, 72074 Tübingen, Germany
- Department of Geosciences and Geography, University of Helsinki, PL 64 (Gustaf Hällströmin katu 2), 00014 Helsinki, Finland
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de Kock W, Mackie M, Ramsøe M, Allentoft ME, Broderick AC, Haywood JC, Godley BJ, Snape RTE, Bradshaw PJ, Genz H, von Tersch M, Dee MW, Palsbøll PJ, Alexander M, Taurozzi AJ, Çakırlar C. Threatened North African seagrass meadows have supported green turtle populations for millennia. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2023; 120:e2220747120. [PMID: 37459551 PMCID: PMC10372671 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2220747120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2022] [Accepted: 05/25/2023] [Indexed: 07/20/2023] Open
Abstract
"Protect and restore ecosystems and biodiversity" is the second official aim of the current UN Ocean Decade (2021 to 2030) calling for the identification and protection of critical marine habitats. However, data to inform policy are often lacking altogether or confined to recent times, preventing the establishment of long-term baselines. The unique insights gained from combining bioarchaeology (palaeoproteomics, stable isotope analysis) with contemporary data (from satellite tracking) identified habitats which sea turtles have been using in the Eastern Mediterranean over five millennia. Specifically, our analysis of archaeological green turtle (Chelonia mydas) bones revealed that they likely foraged on the same North African seagrass meadows as their modern-day counterparts. Here, millennia-long foraging habitat fidelity has been directly demonstrated, highlighting the significance (and long-term dividends) of protecting these critical coastal habitats that are especially vulnerable to global warming. We highlight the potential for historical ecology to inform policy in safeguarding critical marine habitats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Willemien de Kock
- Groningen Institute of Archaeology, Faculty of Arts, University of Groningen, 9712ERGroningen, Netherlands
- Marine Evolution and Conservation Group, Groningen Institute for Evolutionary Life Sciences, Faculty of Science and Engineering, University of Groningen, 9747AGGroningen, Netherlands
| | - Meaghan Mackie
- The Globe Institute, Faculty of Health and Medical Science, University of Copenhagen, 1353Copenhagen K, Denmark
- Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Protein Research, Faculty of Health and Medical Science, University of Copenhagen, 2200Copenhagen K, Denmark
| | - Max Ramsøe
- The Globe Institute, Faculty of Health and Medical Science, University of Copenhagen, 1353Copenhagen K, Denmark
| | - Morten E. Allentoft
- Trace and Environmental DNA Lab, School of Molecular and Life Sciences, Curtin University, Perth, Western Australia6102, Australia
- Lundbeck Foundation GeoGenetics Centre, GLOBE Institute, University of Copenhagen, 1353Copenhagen K, Denmark
| | - Annette C. Broderick
- Centre for Ecology and Conservation, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Exeter, Penryn Campus, PenrynTR10 9FE, United Kingdom
| | - Julia C. Haywood
- Centre for Ecology and Conservation, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Exeter, Penryn Campus, PenrynTR10 9FE, United Kingdom
| | - Brendan J. Godley
- Centre for Ecology and Conservation, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Exeter, Penryn Campus, PenrynTR10 9FE, United Kingdom
| | - Robin T. E. Snape
- Centre for Ecology and Conservation, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Exeter, Penryn Campus, PenrynTR10 9FE, United Kingdom
- Society for the Protection of Turtles, Nicosia99150, North Cyprus
| | - Phil J. Bradshaw
- Centre for Ecology and Conservation, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Exeter, Penryn Campus, PenrynTR10 9FE, United Kingdom
| | - Hermann Genz
- Department of History and Archaeology, American University of Beirut, Beirut1107 2020, Lebanon
| | - Matthew von Tersch
- BioArCh, Department of Archaeology, University of York, YorkYO10 5NG, United Kingdom
| | - Michael W. Dee
- Centre for Isotope Research, Faculty of Science and Engineering, University of Groningen, 9747AGGroningen, Netherlands
| | - Per J. Palsbøll
- Marine Evolution and Conservation Group, Groningen Institute for Evolutionary Life Sciences, Faculty of Science and Engineering, University of Groningen, 9747AGGroningen, Netherlands
- Center for Coastal Studies, Provincetown, MA02657
| | - Michelle Alexander
- BioArCh, Department of Archaeology, University of York, YorkYO10 5NG, United Kingdom
| | - Alberto J. Taurozzi
- The Globe Institute, Faculty of Health and Medical Science, University of Copenhagen, 1353Copenhagen K, Denmark
| | - Canan Çakırlar
- Groningen Institute of Archaeology, Faculty of Arts, University of Groningen, 9712ERGroningen, Netherlands
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