This study 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: farming and herding societies are more vulnerable but also more resilient overall. The results reveal important trade-offs when adopting new land-use strategies.
Publisher
Nature
Published On
May 23, 2024
Authors
Philip Riris, Fabio Silva, Enrico Crema, Alessio Palmisano, Erick Robinson, Peter E. Siegel, Jennifer C. French, Erlend Kirkeng Jørgensen, Shira Yoshi Maezumi, Steinar Solheim, Jennifer Bates, Benjamin Davies, Yongje Oh, Xiaolin Ren
Tags
resilience
prehistoric populations
land-use patterns
population decline
agriculture
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