The Transformation of Environment into Landscape: The Historical Ecology of Monumental Earthwork Construction in the Bolivian Amazon
Although the Neotropics are recognized as a region rich in biological diversity, the origin, evolution, and maintenance of this phenomenon continues to be debated. Historical ecologists and landscape archaeologists point out that the Neotropics have a long, complex human history that may have been a...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2010-04-01
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| Series: | Diversity |
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| Online Access: | http://www.mdpi.com/1424-2818/2/4/618/ |
| _version_ | 1828136506382876672 |
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| author | Clark L. Erickson |
| author_facet | Clark L. Erickson |
| author_sort | Clark L. Erickson |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Although the Neotropics are recognized as a region rich in biological diversity, the origin, evolution, and maintenance of this phenomenon continues to be debated. Historical ecologists and landscape archaeologists point out that the Neotropics have a long, complex human history that may have been a key factor in the creation, shaping, and management of present day biodiversity. The construction of monumental earthworks referred to as ring ditches of the Bolivian Amazon and surrounding regions in late prehistory had considerable impact on the fauna, flora, soils, and topography of forest islands. Patterned landscape features, historical documents, energetics, and historical ecology are used to understand the transformation of forest islands into anthropogenic built environments. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-11T18:05:18Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-73dae0bf2732444cba1aede050071a36 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1424-2818 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-11T18:05:18Z |
| publishDate | 2010-04-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Diversity |
| spelling | doaj.art-73dae0bf2732444cba1aede050071a362022-12-22T04:10:21ZengMDPI AGDiversity1424-28182010-04-012461865210.3390/d2040619The Transformation of Environment into Landscape: The Historical Ecology of Monumental Earthwork Construction in the Bolivian AmazonClark L. EricksonAlthough the Neotropics are recognized as a region rich in biological diversity, the origin, evolution, and maintenance of this phenomenon continues to be debated. Historical ecologists and landscape archaeologists point out that the Neotropics have a long, complex human history that may have been a key factor in the creation, shaping, and management of present day biodiversity. The construction of monumental earthworks referred to as ring ditches of the Bolivian Amazon and surrounding regions in late prehistory had considerable impact on the fauna, flora, soils, and topography of forest islands. Patterned landscape features, historical documents, energetics, and historical ecology are used to understand the transformation of forest islands into anthropogenic built environments.http://www.mdpi.com/1424-2818/2/4/618/historical ecologylandscape archaeologyhistorical contingencyengineered landscapeforest islandsBoliviaAmazonia |
| spellingShingle | Clark L. Erickson The Transformation of Environment into Landscape: The Historical Ecology of Monumental Earthwork Construction in the Bolivian Amazon Diversity historical ecology landscape archaeology historical contingency engineered landscape forest islands Bolivia Amazonia |
| title | The Transformation of Environment into Landscape: The Historical Ecology of Monumental Earthwork Construction in the Bolivian Amazon |
| title_full | The Transformation of Environment into Landscape: The Historical Ecology of Monumental Earthwork Construction in the Bolivian Amazon |
| title_fullStr | The Transformation of Environment into Landscape: The Historical Ecology of Monumental Earthwork Construction in the Bolivian Amazon |
| title_full_unstemmed | The Transformation of Environment into Landscape: The Historical Ecology of Monumental Earthwork Construction in the Bolivian Amazon |
| title_short | The Transformation of Environment into Landscape: The Historical Ecology of Monumental Earthwork Construction in the Bolivian Amazon |
| title_sort | transformation of environment into landscape the historical ecology of monumental earthwork construction in the bolivian amazon |
| topic | historical ecology landscape archaeology historical contingency engineered landscape forest islands Bolivia Amazonia |
| url | http://www.mdpi.com/1424-2818/2/4/618/ |
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