The Rise and Fall of the Amazon Chiefdoms

Roosevelt, Anna C.

doi:10.3406/hom.1993.369640

Cited by 44 publications

(41 citation statements)

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“…These anthropogenic soil types were usually formed between 500 and 2500 years ago and contain significantly higher nutrient levels than typical Amazonian soils [4,20,[23][24][25][26][27][28].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Predicting pre-Columbian anthropogenic soils in Amazonia

et al. 2014

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The extent and intensity of pre-Columbian impacts on lowland Amazonia have remained uncertain and controversial. Various indicators can be used to gauge the impact of pre-Columbian societies, but the formation of nutrient-enriched terra preta soils has been widely accepted as an indication of long-term settlement and site fidelity. Using known and newly discovered terra preta sites and maximum entropy algorithms (Maxent), we determined the influence of regional environmental conditions on the likelihood that terra pretas would have been formed at any given location in lowland Amazonia. Terra pretas were most frequently found in central and eastern Amazonia along the lower courses of the major Amazonian rivers. Terrain, hydrologic and soil characteristics were more important predictors of terra preta distributions than climatic conditions. Our modelling efforts indicated that terra pretas are likely to be found throughout ca 154 063 km 2 or 3.2% of the forest. We also predict that terra preta formation was limited in most of western Amazonia. Model results suggested that the distribution of terra preta was highly predictable based on environmental parameters. We provided targets for future archaeological surveys under the vast forest canopy and also highlighted how few of the long-term forest inventory sites in Amazonia are able to capture the effects of historical disturbance.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Predicting pre-Columbian anthropogenic soils in Amazonia

et al. 2014

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“…The nutritional ecology research that followed the debate, after it was criticized for its environmental determinism (Roosevelt 1993(Roosevelt , 1994, confirmed the importance of bushmeat and fish as sources of both calories and proteins (Adams et al 2009, Adams andPiperata 2014). Studies also showed that the nutritional environment in the Amazon was changing, and investigations were broadened to include contemporary processes such as nutritional transition and food security (Nardoto et al 2011, Piperata et al 2011a,b, Adams and Piperata 2014.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Beyond protein intake: bushmeat as source of micronutrients in the Amazon

Sarti¹,

Adams²,

Morsello³

et al. 2015

E&S

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ABSTRACT. Wild meat is critical for the food security and income of millions of people, especially for poor rural households. Its role as a primary source of macronutrients worldwide has been recognized, but there have been few attempts to evaluate the contribution of bushmeat consumption to micronutrient intake. This is so particularly in the context of nutritional transitions induced by modernization and globalization. Here, we calculated the role of bushmeat as a source of micronutrients in the diets of urban and periurban inhabitants within the Tres Fronteras (Peru, Brazil, Colombia) region in the Amazon. We gathered food intake data from 35 households using 3-day 24-h food recalls combined with food weighing. Additionally, we interviewed 105 households on food consumption frequency. Our results indicate that 14.3% of the households consumed bushmeat, which represented approximately 32% of their caloric intake, 72% of consumed protein, and 77% of iron. Typically, households consuming bushmeat presented higher a nutritional status, i.e., lower intake of carbohydrates (−10%) and higher intake of proteins (+46%), iron (+151%), and zinc (+23%), than households not consuming bushmeat. Most of the sampled households did not achieve standard nutritional requirements for calories (94%), fiber, vitamin C, or iron (97%) per adult per day. None of the households achieved the recommended daily intake for calcium. Households consuming bushmeat consumed statistically significantly higher levels of iron, zinc, and vitamin C than households that did not eat bushmeat. The latter consumed an excess of 31% calories from processed foods per adult per day, and lower amounts of iron (−60%) and zinc (−19%). We argue that households not consuming bushmeat are at greater risk of anemia in the short run and other chronic health problems in the long run.

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“…EVIDENCE IS ACCUMULATING that humans dramatically influenced wide expanses of forests throughout the tropics (Willis et al 2004). In the case of Amazonia, although pre-Colombian human populations and their environmental impacts are still being debated (Dobyns 1966;Denevan 1992a;Meggers 1995Meggers , 2003Roosevelt 2003), it is commonly accepted that Amerindian populations declined by 90 percent within 100 yr after European contact (Hemming 1978). Furthermore, many Amazonian forests once considered pristine are now recognized as having regenerated after cessation of human activities (Lentz 2000, Heckenberger et al 2007; but see Bush & Silman 2007).…”

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confidence: 99%

Anthropogenic Soils and Tree Distributions in a Lowland Forest in Bolivia

Paz-Rivera

Putz

2009

Biotropica

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The distributions of 17 tree species with seeds or fruits that are commonly eaten or otherwise used by humans were studied in reference to anthropogenic soils in a seasonally dry lowland tropical forest in Bolivia. Two types of anthropogenic dark earths (ADEs) were identified: terra preta (TP: darkened with charcoal fragments and with abundant pottery shards) and terra mulata (TM: somewhat darkened but with little or no pottery). In 216 ha, we compared the densities of trees 4 10 cm dbh of useful species in nine TP patches, three TM patches, and six areas with nonanthropogenic soils (N-ADE). The TP, which covers approximately 20 percent of the sample area, has higher contents of organic matter, extractable P, and extractable Ca than N-ADE soils, as well as higher pH and extractable P than TM. TM has organic matter and Ca contents similar to N-ADE soils but significantly less extractable K. In general, TP has higher nutrient content than surrounding soils, both at the surface (0-10 cm) and deeper in the profile (40-50 cm). Despite these differences in soil fertility and contrary to our expectations, none of the 17 tree species were concentrated on TP perhaps because interactions between local dispersal agents and natural disturbances have masked historical patterns. Alternatively, past inhabitants of the study area may have enriched forests with useful tree species in areas where they were not practicing the intensive soil husbandry that results in ADEs.

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The Rise and Fall of the Amazon Chiefdoms

Cited by 44 publications

References 0 publications

Predicting pre-Columbian anthropogenic soils in Amazonia

Predicting pre-Columbian anthropogenic soils in Amazonia

Beyond protein intake: bushmeat as source of micronutrients in the Amazon

Anthropogenic Soils and Tree Distributions in a Lowland Forest in Bolivia

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