Frequent disturbances enhanced the resilience of past human populations

Authors: Riris, P. et al.

Journal: Nature

Volume: 629

Issue: 8013

Pages: 837-842

eISSN: 1476-4687

ISSN: 0028-0836

DOI: 10.1038/s41586-024-07354-8

Abstract:

The record of past human adaptations provides crucial lessons for guiding responses to crises in the future1–3. To date, there have been no systematic global comparisons of humans’ ability to absorb and recover from disturbances through time4,5. Here we synthesized resilience across a broad sample of prehistoric population time–frequency data, spanning 30,000 years of human history. Cross-sectional and longitudinal analyses of population decline show that frequent disturbances enhance a population’s capacity to resist and recover from later downturns. Land-use patterns are important mediators of the strength of this positive association: farming and herding societies are more vulnerable but also more resilient overall. The results show that important trade-offs exist when adopting new or alternative land-use strategies.

https://eprints.bournemouth.ac.uk/39606/

Source: Scopus

Frequent disturbances enhanced the resilience of past human populations.

Authors: Riris, P. et al.

Journal: Nature

Volume: 629

Issue: 8013

Pages: 837-842

eISSN: 1476-4687

DOI: 10.1038/s41586-024-07354-8

Abstract:

The record of past human adaptations provides crucial lessons for guiding responses to crises in the future1-3. To date, there have been no systematic global comparisons of humans' ability to absorb and recover from disturbances through time4,5. Here we synthesized resilience across a broad sample of prehistoric population time-frequency data, spanning 30,000 years of human history. Cross-sectional and longitudinal analyses of population decline show that frequent disturbances enhance a population's capacity to resist and recover from later downturns. Land-use patterns are important mediators of the strength of this positive association: farming and herding societies are more vulnerable but also more resilient overall. The results show that important trade-offs exist when adopting new or alternative land-use strategies.

https://eprints.bournemouth.ac.uk/39606/

Source: PubMed

Frequent disturbances enhanced the resilience of past human populations

Authors: Riris, P. et al.

Journal: NATURE

eISSN: 1476-4687

ISSN: 0028-0836

DOI: 10.1038/s41586-024-07354-8

https://eprints.bournemouth.ac.uk/39606/

Source: Web of Science (Lite)

Frequent disturbances enhanced the resilience of past human populations

Authors: Riris, P. and Parracho Silva, F.

Journal: Nature

Publisher: Macmillan Journals Ltd

ISSN: 0028-0836

https://eprints.bournemouth.ac.uk/39606/

Source: Manual

Frequent disturbances enhanced the resilience of past human populations.

Authors: Riris, P. et al.

Journal: Nature

Volume: 629

Issue: 8013

Pages: 837-842

eISSN: 1476-4687

ISSN: 0028-0836

DOI: 10.1038/s41586-024-07354-8

Abstract:

The record of past human adaptations provides crucial lessons for guiding responses to crises in the future1-3. To date, there have been no systematic global comparisons of humans' ability to absorb and recover from disturbances through time4,5. Here we synthesized resilience across a broad sample of prehistoric population time-frequency data, spanning 30,000 years of human history. Cross-sectional and longitudinal analyses of population decline show that frequent disturbances enhance a population's capacity to resist and recover from later downturns. Land-use patterns are important mediators of the strength of this positive association: farming and herding societies are more vulnerable but also more resilient overall. The results show that important trade-offs exist when adopting new or alternative land-use strategies.

https://eprints.bournemouth.ac.uk/39606/

Source: Europe PubMed Central

Frequent disturbances enhanced the resilience of past human populations

Authors: Riris, P. et al.

Journal: Nature

Volume: 629

Pages: 837-842

Publisher: Macmillan Journals Ltd

ISSN: 0028-0836

Abstract:

The record of past human adaptations provides crucial lessons for guiding responses to crises in the future1,2,3. To date, there have been no systematic global comparisons of humans’ ability to absorb and recover from disturbances through time4,5. Here we synthesized resilience across a broad sample of prehistoric population time–frequency data, spanning 30,000 years of human history. Cross-sectional and longitudinal analyses of population decline show that frequent disturbances enhance a population’s capacity to resist and recover from later downturns. Land-use patterns are important mediators of the strength of this positive association: farming and herding societies are more vulnerable but also more resilient overall. The results show that important trade-offs exist when adopting new or alternative land-use strategies.

https://eprints.bournemouth.ac.uk/39606/

Source: BURO EPrints