Marking time in Geomorphology: should we try to formalise an Anthropocene definition?

Lewin, John; Macklin, Mark G.

doi:10.1002/esp.3484

Cited by 65 publications

(28 citation statements)

References 23 publications

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“…Others have suggested that the complexities of human history mean that the term 'Anthropocene' is best used informally, as it is now, and that formalization would be a distraction [2,21,24]. However, given the wide range of different human impacts and time periods that the term is currently applied to, it is hard to see how this 'informality' aids communication.…”

mentioning

confidence: 92%

The Anthropocene concept in ecology and conservation

Corlett

2015

Trends in Ecology & Evolution

299

176

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mentioning

confidence: 92%

The Anthropocene concept in ecology and conservation

Corlett

2015

Trends in Ecology & Evolution

299

176

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“…Further geoarchaeological analysis is being undertaken on the alluvial sequence at Wellington Quarry, but if chronological continuity can be applied to the formation of these key stratigraphic units, then wider factors such as climate variability and land-use narratives can be investigated through these fluvial archives. Integration of the Lugg sequences with work from the Rivers Arrow, Frome and Wye within adjacent catchments of the West Midlands has the potential to allow development of inter-regional valley geochronologies and to input into national and international debates concerning the stratigraphic signal of the Anthropocene (Gales and Hoare, 2012;Lewin and Macklin, 2014). The results of this ongoing work also provide a basis and opportunity for beginning to compare the geoarchaeological records and preservation potential of lowland river systems with those of the piedmont and upland zone, which have different late Pleistocene and Holocene evolutionary histories (Howard and Macklin, 1999).…”

Section: Chronological Evolution and Wider Implicationsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Using geoarchaeological deposit modelling as a framework for archaeological evaluation and mitigation in alluvial environments

Carey

Howard

Jackson

et al. 2017

Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports

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The pace of anthropogenic development on floodplains and adjacent valley floors is still increasing and in many countries this is accompanied by a requirement for heritage mitigation and management.The result is an increased demand for effective and efficient archaeological evaluation and mitigation strategies, which can only be achieved in alluvial environments through the application of geoarchaeological methods. This paper uses lidar data combined with deep geophysical survey (electrical resistivity), gouge coring and limited borehole data to derive a three dimensional geoarchaeological deposit model, which provided a vehicle for archaeological evaluation and mitigation. Significantly, the results of this deposit model are compared to the results from the subsequent archaeological evaluation trenching, a methodological next step that has not received sufficient attention within the (geo)archaeological literature. The deposit model is refined using radiocarbon dating and artefactual evidence derived from the archaeological evaluation trenching.The results demonstrate how geoarchaeological deposit modelling can be integrated with archaeological evaluation trenching and provides discussion of the importance and difficulties of integrating geoarchaeological sediment units (archives) with archaeological contextual excavation data, with conventional stratigraphic matrices.

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“…The aim here, therefore, is to use the idea of the Anthropocene as a lens through which geomorphologists can develop research which contributes more directly to a better understanding of the relationship between society and landforms and the processes that shape them. Brown et al (2013) suggest that there could well be a 'geomorphological case' for the Anthropocene and Lewin and Macklin (2013) have already assessed the possible value of a formally defined Anthropocene for geomorphologists. Whether we recognise the Anthropocene or not, further exploration is still needed of the nature and magnitude of societal impact on geomorphic processes in a variety of geographical contexts and at a range of scales.…”

Section: Introduction: the Anthropocenementioning

confidence: 98%

Geomorphology in the Anthropocene: Perspectives from the Past, Pointers for the Future?

Meadows

2016

Advances in Geographical and Environmental Sciences

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The term Anthropocene has been introduced to highlight the fact humans have, directly or indirectly -accidentally or intentionally -profoundly transformed the earth system. There is much debate as to whether the magnitude and extent of such change is geologically distinctive and, accordingly, warrants formal designation as a new epoch although, irrespective of this, the magnitude of change is undoubtedly significant. In order to put the Anthropocene into perspective, the chapter briefly reviews various systemic and cumulative drivers of geomorphic change before going on to explore the time-transgressive impacts of humans on virtually all environments of the earth. This is followed by a consideration of three instructive case studies of how the deleterious effects of growing numbers of people using increasingly sophisticated technologies are expressed geomorphologically across a range of environments. The problems of accelerated soil erosion, the impact of large dams and the nature and extent of artificial ground are used to highlight the important role that geomorphology plays in understanding the burgeoning footprint of humanity on earth systems. The Quaternary record offers a foundational understanding of baseline conditions of earth system processes and responses and facilitates increased confidence in evaluating the magnitude of past and future global climate change and its diverse effects. A quarter of a century on from the first IPCC report, the degree to which the strength of its statements, and the confidence with which they are made, is rooted in a better understanding of longer-term past changes should not be underestimated. The fact that geomorphology may still be a 'Cinderella' in relation to studies of environmental change is ongoing cause for concern and, if we are to illuminate the range of options available to mitigate and adapt to future change, we need systematically to incorporate a stronger geomorphological perspective into global change science; the Anthropocene represents an appropriate platform from which to inject that perspective.

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Marking time in Geomorphology: should we try to formalise an Anthropocene definition?

Cited by 65 publications

References 23 publications

The Anthropocene concept in ecology and conservation

The Anthropocene concept in ecology and conservation

Using geoarchaeological deposit modelling as a framework for archaeological evaluation and mitigation in alluvial environments

Geomorphology in the Anthropocene: Perspectives from the Past, Pointers for the Future?

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