🔄From the archive: Researchers say that these trees are evidence of early crop cultivation by ancient humans in Amazonia.
An aerial shot of the Llanos de Moxos region in South America shows the strange isolated mounds of trees that grow among expansive grasslands. Scientists’ explanation for these islands: Ancient humans planted and cultivated crops, making them some of the oldest domesticated plants in history. This article appeared inannual state of science issue as “Forest Islands Amid a Grassland Sea.
One theory suggested that over the past few centuries, ranchers had carved away lush rainforest to create pastures, but left scattered groves of about 300 trees each. Yet that didn’t explain why the trees grew on higher ground. Their gardens piled up fertile compost, which allowed trees to root above the seasonal flood line. Rather than wrecking the environment, the artificial forest islands enhanced biodiversity, providing habitat for rare species to this day. Lombardo “is a real hero in this … really pushing research,” says José M. Capriles, study co-author and archaeologist at Penn State.
The researchers probed some and found archaeological debris similar to the fully excavated sites in 64 out of 82 of the tested mounds between 2,300 and 10,850 years old. From that ratio, they estimated humans erected at least 4,700 of the 6,643 forest islands visible on Google Earth.
Canada Latest News, Canada Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
There may be just 800 of these endangered eagles left in the wildPhilippine eagles are one of the largest living eagle species and require a huge territory to thrive. A mapping project found that there may be fewer than a thousand individuals left
Read more »
Ripple Defense Stronger as SEC Lawsuit Enters 800 Days, Community BelievesRipple evidence more compelling as SEC lawsuit reaches 800 days, community believes XRPArmy XRPCommunity XRPHolders XRP $XRP
Read more »
Researchers say they can use the quantum world to reverse timeScientists have discovered a way to reverse quantum time and even skip ahead in a massive breakthrough for the quantum world.
Read more »
Researchers Discover That Immune System Drug Can Significantly Reduce Alcohol ConsumptionResearchers at Scripps Research discovered that apremilast (Otezla®) can reduce alcohol consumption by over 50% in individuals with severe alcohol use disorder. A clinical trial conducted by Scripps Research Institute has revealed that apremilast, an FDA-approved medication for the treatment of p
Read more »
Researchers Discover Key Factor To Make It Easier To Stick To Exercise and Diet GoalsPeople who had higher scores for sleep health — based on regularity, satisfaction, alertness, timing, efficiency, and duration — during a 12-month weight loss program were more likely to follow the caloric intake and exercise components of the program in comparison to peers who scored lower for slee
Read more »