Human Impact Research Articles

Impact of watershed management practices on vegetation, land use changes, and soil erosion in River Basins of the Atlas, Morocco

Soil erosion, a land degradation process triggered by natural and anthropogenic factors, seriously impacts landscapes and water resources. The influence of vegetation cover and land use changes on intensity of soil erosion of two catchments in mountainous regions of Morocco is evident, as it alters hydrologic response and sediment dynamics. This research aims to analyze the interactions among plants, soil, geology, meteorology, and orography, assessing soil erosion responses using the process-oriented IntErO model - Erosion Potential Method to determine erosion rates. The obtained results indicate that the Tiguert river basin experiences higher soil losses (Ggod = 5184.47 m³/god) and soil losses per square kilometre (Ggod/km² = 508.28 m³/km² god) compared to the Wanmroud catchment (Ggod = 2555.66 m³/god, Ggod/km² = 381.44 m³/km² god), confirming the theory that areas with denser and more effective vegetation cover experience lower soil erosion rates. Furthermore, the Wanmroud basin exhibits a more regular shape and lower watershed development coefficient, implying lower human impact. This study has shown the relationships between land use changes, vegetation cover, and soil erosion dynamics, offering valuable insights for sustainable land management practices in mountainous regions of Morocco.

Recommendations on the Application of the World’s Best State Support Practices in Russian Organic Agriculture

Climate change and the growing human impact on the environment, leading to environmental problems, are a threat to all countries of the world. In this regard, it is necessary to develop effective solutions in the field of organizing production processes, introducing resource-saving technologies, and expanding production volumes using advanced scientific achievements in the fields of ecology, chemistry, breeding, digitalization, etc. Organic agriculture is recognized on the world stage as the most important factor in solving environmental problems. The authors of this article substantiate the need for state support to increase the efficiency of organic production in the development of a green economy. Based on the analysis of the successful experience of regulating the organic products market in leading countries, which are characterized by high growth rates, it is concluded that the formation of a state support mechanism will contribute to the development of organic agribusiness, will allow producing higher quality products with less negative impact on the environment and increase the efficiency of organic production. This article has practical value, and provides an idea of the current level and prospects of state regulation of organic agriculture.

Implementing a vegetation-based risk index to support management actions in Mediterranean coastal dunes

Coastal dunes play a crucial role in mitigating sea-related impacts and safeguarding coastlines. However, increasing human influence and natural factors such as sea-level rise underscore the need for effective coastal risk assessment methodologies. This study introduces a comprehensive coastal risk index covering 24 km of the Italian coastline within the protected area of San Rossore Park (Tuscany, Italy). The study area, distinguished by its notable coastal dune ecosystems, holds naturalistic, cultural, and economic importance. Nevertheless, diverse uses, zoning, and human impact variables pose challenges.By incorporating geological, socioeconomic, cultural, and ecological parameters, the index integrates a range of data sources and field observations. This research focused on developing and applying a vegetation-based risk index (VRI) within a geographic information system (GIS) framework, recognizing the ecological importance of dune vegetation in mitigating coastal erosion. Analysisrevealed varying risk levels within the study area. Half of the San Rossore Park coastline exhibited low risk values, 37.5% had moderate risk values, and 12.5% had high risk values. The publicly accessible northernmost section displays excellent preservation of dune habitats but faces heightened risk due to anthropogenic impacts. Conversely, the central-southern portion, inaccessible to the public, registers high-risk levels linked to variables associated with coastal erosion.Furthermore, the results highlight areas with heightened cultural and ecological vulnerabilities aligned with elevated risk levels. The index facilitates clear and intuitive cartographic representations of coastal risk, identifying variable categories that substantially influence on risk determination. Tailored strategies, including mitigating human pressure in the northern sector and implementing erosion management in the central-southern region, are recommended.In summary, this study not only provides a practical tool for assessing and managing coastal areas and directing attention to specific threats but also supports stakeholders in informed decision-making. The VRI enhances global sustainable coastal conservation, deepening our understanding of coastal risks and providing valuable insights for effective management strategies.

The ethics of knowledge production and the problem of global knowledge inequality

Given demonstrated global knowledge inequality, this article attempts to draw out the connection between tertiary education and research (TER), economic development and infrastructure, and human development. We first explore the connection between knowledge and economic development by tracing a short history of the emergence of knowledge in economic analysis and by introducing the concept of a ‘knowledge economy’. The World Bank’s ‘Knowledge Assessment Methodology’ (2000) attempted to evaluate such ‘knowledge economies’ through a number of proposed variables. We describe relationships between such TER-variables, economic development, and infrastructure building, especially in the shift towards digital economies. We will show that there is a tangible, negative human impact from disparities in knowledge production, and significant improvement in human welfare when knowledge production capacities improve. Finally, we will illustrate how these relationships play out in two case studies, in Montenegro and Bangladesh.

A novel framework for assessment of human impact of floods: Demonstrated for the Indian subcontinent

Flood damages are a result of mutual interaction between flood hazard and socio-economic factors. The increase in flood damages over time can be attributed to various enhancements in the magnitude and frequency of floods as well as socio-economic development in the floodplains. The quantification and analysis of the human dimensions of flood damages is challenged due to irreversibility and lack of understanding of complex-human flood interactions, especially in less developed regions. Since flood damage assessments play a critical role in designing effective flood preparedness plans, we suggest including the human dimension in evaluating damages. We present a framework for the assessment of the human impact of floods by incorporating statistics on the number of people exposed, displaced, and fatalities recorded for each flood event. The framework involves categorizing human impact, identifying spatial clusters of different categories, and exploring the role of various hazard and socio-economic characteristics in determining impact. While categorizing and clustering of impact helps to distinguish between regions prone to different impact, understanding the role of socio-economic and demographic factors is expected to help in developing tailor-made strategies to mitigate flood disasters. The methodology broadly consists of categorization using unsupervised learning, spatial clustering using Local Indicators of Spatial Autocorrelation (LISA), and spatial regression. The results indicate that the impact varies from one region to another and so does the role of hazard and socio-demographic variables in determining impact. Moreover, the framework developed may be used to study the relevance of various socio-hydrological theories and their role in determining the human impact of floods.

Nurturing Eco-Literate Minds: Unveiling the Pathways to Minimize Ecological Footprint in Early Childhood Education

This research explores the vital role of the ecological footprint as a pivotal indicator in ecological assessments and its significance in advancing environmental sustainability. Investigating the intricate dynamics of human activities, resource consumption, waste management, and ecological impact, this study underscores the need for a comprehensive understanding. Key aspects such as renewable energy, economic growth, biomass capacity, and trade policy within the expanding field of energy consumption are thoroughly examined, with data collected from 624 randomly selected pupils. The research methodology involved pre- and post-activity knowledge assessments. The research places a particular focus on the innovative examination of early childhood education as a potent tool for reducing the ecological footprint. Drawing on insights from prior research, the authors argue that instilling ecological awareness and sustainable practices at a young age can yield lasting benefits. This article highlights successful collaboration between higher education institutions and elementary schools, specifically through the “Green Ambassadors in the Community” course at the Holon Institute of Technology (HIT). This study not only emphasizes the crucial role of educational institutions in fostering sustainable practices but also advocates for the urgent integration of environmental education into early childhood curricula.

A Comprehensive Study on Email Spam Detection Techniques

The analysis of email spam detection methods is pivotal in the realm of cybersecurity. This studymeticulously explores a variety of techniques utilized for discerning spam emails, encompassing traditionalmethodologies alongside sophisticated approaches such as machine learning algorithms. The examined techniquesinclude Support Vector Machines, Naive Bayes Multinomial Classifier and Random Forest Classifier with a primaryobjective of identifying the most effective approach among them. By scrutinizing each method's strengths andweaknesses, encompassing factors like detection accuracy and computational efficiency, this research seeks to offer acomprehensive overview of their utility in combatting email spam. Additionally, the study investigates the impact ofhuman elements, such as user education and awareness initiatives, in bolstering overall detection performance. Byamalgamating insights from various scholarly endeavors, this inquiry not only enriches the understanding ofcontemporary spam detection practices but also delineates pathways for future research endeavors and informs theformulation of resilient cybersecurity protocols.

Natural and anthropogenic factors affecting intense slope processes in Eastern Europe during the Modern Period: Serteyka river valley, Russia

Detailed palaeogeographical studies of the accumulative fan in the Serteyka River valley in W Russia and underlying biogenic deposits were carried out. The base of a representative core of biogenic sediments in the distal zone is dated to 1291 BC, while its top to 1631 AD. In this paper, palynological, plant macrofossils, Chironomide and Cladocera, geochemical, geochronological and sedimentological analysis were performed. Four phases of biogenic deposition were distinguished by pollen and geochemical analyses. Two of them coincide with the climatic fluctuation during Medieval Climate Anomaly and Little Ice Age. During the formation of the fan, overbank deposits were accumulated also, indicating numerous and intense floods, which are in line with the trend observed for other sites in this region. The accumulative fan is formed by lower, middle and upper deluvia and agricultural diamicton in its top. All units have specific sedimentological and geochemical features as well as low admixture of plant macrofossils. The beginning of the formation of this relief form dates back to the second half of the 17th century AD, and the end of the accumulation falls on the second half of the 18th century AD. Our work suggests that natural conditions had an impact on the formation and development of studied accumulative fan, however, the decisive factor causing the intensification of the slope processes were related with deforestation resulted from strong human impact, which was marked in palynological and macrofossils analyses (e.g. increase in the contribution of plants macrofossils related to agriculture).

Human Health Impact Based on Adult European Consumers’ Dietary Exposure to Chemical Contaminants and Consumption of Unprocessed Red Meat, Processed Meat, and Legumes

AbstractIn this study we assessed the human health impact based on dietary trends for adult consumers in Europe. The risk of ten illnesses was estimated based on dietary exposure to inorganic arsenic, lead, cadmium, aflatoxin B1, and pesticides and consumption of unprocessed red meat, processed meat, and legumes (reference scenario (RS)) and a simulated alternative scenario of legumes consumption only (AS). Nutrient adequacy per each diet was estimated for vitamin B12, zinc, iron, and selenium. The burden of disease was quantified using Disability-Adjusted Life Years (DALYs). The potential health risk and DALYs differ when comparing the burden due to exposure to chemical contaminants and the burden from the consumption of food, the former favoring the RS, while the latter favors the AS. The burden of disease due to exposure to chemical contaminants was between 672,410–1,215,875 DALYs in the RS, while in the AS it was between 964,132–1,084,229 DALYs. Consumption of processed meat added up to 1,813,338 DALYs, while legume intake averted 364,973 DALYs. However, the AS also indicated lower nutrient intakes potentially increasing the risk of nutrient inadequacy. A balanced diet made up of a variety of different foods is essential to prevent potentially higher dietary exposures to a range of chemical contaminants and assure adequate micronutrient intake. Greater importance should be given to food consumption trends and cross-referenced to existing and new natural toxin legislation and risk assessments in view of the ubiquitous and growing occurrence of heavy metals and mycotoxins in our food. The impacts of climate change, and the growing tendency toward plant-based diets are two factors which will drive further increases in human exposure to toxic contaminants. Graphical Abstract

Tuberculosis preventive treatment uptake among adults living with human immunodeficiency virus: Analysis of Zimbabwe population-based human immunodeficiency virus impact assessment 2020.

Tuberculosis remains the leading cause of death by an infectious disease among people living with HIV (PLHIV). TB Preventive Treatment (TPT) is a cost-effective intervention known to reduce morbidity and mortality. We used data from ZIMPHIA 2020 to assess TPT uptake and factors associated with its use. ZIMPHIA a cross-sectional household survey, estimated HIV treatment outcomes among PLHIV aged ≥15years. Randomly selected participants provided demographic and clinical information. We applied multivariable logistic regression models using survey weights. Variances were estimated via the Jackknife series to determine factors associated with TPT uptake. The sample of 2419 PLHIV ≥15years had 65% females, 44% had no primary education, and 29% lived in urban centers. Overall, 38% had ever taken TPT, including 15% currently taking TPT. Controlling for other variables, those screened for TB at last HIV-related visit, those who visited a TB clinic in the previous 12months, and those who had HIV viral load suppression were more likely to take TPT. The findings show suboptimal TPT coverage among PLHIV. There is a need for targeted interventions and policies to address the barriers to TPT uptake, to reduce TB morbidity and mortality among PLHIV.

The use of the GEST method to estimate greenhouse gases uptake or emissions in the absence of data for a raised bog

The paper is designed to present a method to estimate greenhouse gases (GHG) uptake or emissions in the absence of data for peat bog areas (GEST method). The paper presents the research results produced by a project on “Limiting CO2 emissions via the renaturalisation of peat bogs on the Eastern and Central European Plain”. The study area consisted of three peat bogs: Kluki, Ciemińskie Błota, and Wielkie Bagno (Słowiński National Park). The GEST method relies on the estimation of gas emissions on the basis of vegetation and water levels and greenhouse gas coefficients for each given habitat type provided in the research literature. The greenhouse gas balance was calculated for a baseline scenario assuming the lack of human impact and for a scenario taking into account human impact in the form of peat bog preservation. Initial research results indicate that there is a total of 41 GESTs in the studied bog areas and that a reduction in CO2 emissions of approximately 12% will occur following what is known as renaturalisation by raising the groundwater level, felling of trees across the bog, and making changes in habitats.

The environmental impact of lightweight body in white structures in vehicle manufacturing

The quest for sustainability and reduction of human impact on the planet has led to discussions about environmental efficiency in the manufacture and use of automotive vehicles. The advancement of environmental and government laws has encouraged the automotive industry to seek constant improvements in safety, fuel economy and reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. To achieve these goals, reducing the weight of vehicles has been considered a relevant strategy, with several research and development efforts in search of high-tech materials and innovative design. The assessment of the life cycle of vehicles, from the extraction of raw materials to the end of their useful life, is essential for estimating environmental impacts. In this context, this paper focuses on the life cycle analysis of vehicles with new generation steel structures (Body in White Solution) compared to current steels (Body in White Baseline), aiming at reducing greenhouse gas emissions by reducing of the thickness of the steel plates, maintaining the mechanical properties necessary to guarantee the safety of the vehicle. The methodology of this study was divided into the evaluation of Body in White (BIW) mass in current steels (Baseline) and in advanced high resistance steels (Solution); detailing the vehicular life cycle from the extraction of materials to its end of life; in the estimation of greenhouse gas emissions through simulation and in the comparison of vehicle emissions with BIW in current steels and in advanced high resistance steels. As a result, it was possible to observe that, in the comparison of the CO2 footprint, modeled in the Eco Audit, there is a 15% reduction in emissions in the CO2 footprint for the BIW solution, as well as a 7% reduction in the Ceq total, in the on-site test and a saving of 260.40 L in fuel consumption, that is, the reduction in vehicle weight plays a significant role in reducing CO2 emissions, providing a mitigation factor for global warming.

The artistic concept of cold in the work “Aivangu” by the Chukchi writer Yuri Rytkheu

The research is carried out in the context of interdisciplinary cognitive directions - cognitive linguistics and cognitive poetics, one of the actual tasks of which is modeling the structure of artistic concepts represented in the artistic text. The aim of the study is modeling of the artistic concept of cold in the author’s artistic picture of the world of Y. S. Rytkheu as a part of the conceptosphere of the Arctic discourse. This research is the first stage in the study of artistic concepts in the Arctic discourse of Y. S. Rytkheu. The novel of this Chukchi writer, who is a representative of the northern linguoculture, was analysed. The relevance of this study is determined by the choice of the concept of cold as one of the key discursive concepts of the North and the Arctic, as well as its inclusion in the paradigm of linguocognitive research and conceptology of the artistic text. The method of continuous sampling was used to extract 456 markers - representatives of the concept. The markers were distributed into lexico-thematic groups (hereinafter - LTG) “Nature” (211), “Human Impact” (142), “Dwelling” (44), “Technology” (39), “Equipment” (20), interpreted as cognitive attributes of the concept. The distribution into LTGs was made according to the signs of semantic and thematic commonality of the concept markers. The following structure of the artistic concept cold was revealed: in the nuclear zone there is the cognitive attribute “Nature” (211 markers), in the ancillary zone - “Human Impact” (142 markers), in the near periphery there is the attribute “Dwelling”, in the far periphery “Equipment” and “Technics”. Such cognitive features of the artistic concept of cold as the Arctic climate of Chukotka, natural phenomena associated with cold, the impact of cold on people and their activities are defined.

Framing the wild: A qualitative analysis of environmental news coverage during the 2020 coronavirus lockdowns

News media coverage of the natural world frames perceptions and policies related to the environment. Studying its reporting brings insight for how meaning is assigned to humanity’s relationship with nature and wildlife. Through qualitative content analysis, this study examines digital articles on the environment, published from March to December 2020, amidst mass lockdowns due to the 2019 coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Claims about the impact of humanity being locked down were analysed using framing theory. Findings revealed four major frames generated in connection to (1) wildlife behaviour, (2) a new normal post-COVID, (3) climate change being displaced and (4) human–nature symbiosis. The results of qualitative inquiry offer a more nuanced understanding of how media frames the complex human–nature relationship, which tends to feature negative and hostile associations. This furthers the notion that such framing can limit perspectives, even if unintended, and arguably weakens viewing our relationship with nature as symbiotic.

Anthropocene: Human Activity Impact on the Climate and Environment

The environment undergoes shifts across various timescales, yet presently, human intervention remains the primary solution provider and is likely to persist in this role for the next few centuries. While it is widely recognised that human-induced, or anthropogenic, climate change contributes to global warming, what is often underestimated are the direct impacts of heavy rainfall, droughts, and storms, incurring significant costs for both society and the environment. The expansion of human populations has led to the conversion of natural ecosystems for agricultural, industrial, and residential purposes, creating a demand for environmental inputs such as fresh water, fiber, and soil fertility. This heightened demand puts increased pressure on the capacity of natural ecosystems. Deforestation, expanding agriculture, illegal fishing and hunting, unplanned tourism, and pesticide pollution have collectively led to the progressive degradation of natural habitats. The consequence is a loss of biodiversity and the removal of forests, disrupting the food and shelter sources for wildlife residing in these ecosystems. Scientific research aims to comprehend the scale of biodiversity, and land use, and contribute to mitigating the impacts of land use changes.

Extraction of Forest Road Information from CubeSat Imagery Using Convolutional Neural Networks

Forest roads provide access to remote wooded areas, serving as key transportation routes and contributing to human impact on the local environment. However, large animals, such as bears (Ursus sp.), moose (Alces alces), and caribou (Rangifer tarandus caribou), are affected by their presence. Many publicly available road layers are outdated or inaccurate, making the assessment of landscape objectives difficult. To address these gaps in road location data, we employ CubeSat Imagery from the Planet constellation to predict the occurrence of road probabilities using a SegNet Convolutional Neural Network. Our research examines the potential of a pre-trained neural network (VGG-16 trained on ImageNet) transferred to the remote sensing domain. The classification is refined through post-processing, which considers spatial misalignment and road width variability. On a withheld test subset, we achieve an overall accuracy of 99.1%, a precision of 76.1%, and a recall of 91.2% (F1-Score: 83.0%) after considering these effects. We investigate the performance with respect to canopy coverage using a spectral greenness index, topography (slope and aspect), and land cover metrics. Results found that predictions are best in flat areas, with low to medium canopy coverage, and in the forest (coniferous and deciduous) land cover classes. The results are vectorized into a drivable road network, allowing for vector-based routing and coverage analyses. Our approach digitized 14,359 km of roads in a 23,500 km2 area in British Columbia, Canada. Compared to a governmental dataset, our method missed 10,869 km but detected an additional 5774 km of roads connected to the network. Finally, we use the detected road locations to investigate road age by accessing an archive of Landsat data, allowing spatiotemporal modelling of road access to remote areas. This provides important information on the development of the road network over time and the calculation of impacts, such as cumulative effects on wildlife.

Local knowledge of homegarden plants in Miao ethnic communities in Laershan region, Xiangxi area, China

BackgroundHomegardens are small-scale land use systems with significant implications for local livelihoods, biodiversity conservation, and sustainable development due to their diverse flora and fauna. Conducting homegarden surveys enables researchers to gain insights into the traditional ecological knowledge of indigenous communities, preserve homegarden biodiversity, and promote sustainable livelihoods. This study has two objectives: first, to collect, record, and organize data on homegarden plants and related traditional knowledge from three communities in the Laershan Plateau, and second, to analyze the species and functional diversity of homegarden plants in the region while exploring the factors that contribute to the heterogeneous distribution of these plants among the communities of three townships.MethodsThis research employed field surveys in the Laershan Miao Autonomous Region in Xiangxi, China, from September 2021 to August 2023. Data were collected through observation and semi-structured interviews. The study utilized descriptive statistics and quantitative analysis, including the Relative Importance Value (RI), Use Value Index (UV), Jaccard Index (JI), and Comprehensive Index of Land Use Degree (La), to examine the diversity of local homegarden plants and related traditional knowledge, as well as community heterogeneity.ResultsThe study area exhibited rich biodiversity, with 152 plant species recorded belonging to 62 families and 124 genera. These findings highlight the importance of homegarden plants in maintaining ecological balance and enhancing system resilience against disturbances. Homegarden plants serve multiple functions such as food, ornamental, medicinal, and fodder purposes, with edible and trade plants having the most abundant knowledge. Furthermore, this research revealed that communities with similar forest resource compositions may have similar homegarden plant compositions, demonstrating the connection between cultural exchange among different communities and patterns of plant species distribution.ConclusionsThe Laershan region boasts diverse homegarden plant species crucial for ecological balance and resilience. Their multifunctionality reflects human impact. Plant diversity varies with residents' lifestyles, needs, and cultural exchanges. The close connection between plants and local life is clear. Factors like resource distribution, cultural exchange, and lifestyle influence plant distribution. Further research is needed for conservation and sustainable development. Future research should focus on culturally valuable plant species and traditional knowledge applications.

Evaluating the human neurotoxicity and toxicological interactions impact of co-occurring regulated and emerging mycotoxins

Mycotoxins can inflict harmful effects on diverse organs, and mounting evidence indicates their potential involvement in human neurodegenerative diseases. Given the common occurrence of these toxins in food, there is an increasing demand for a comprehensive assessment of their combined toxicity to enhance our understanding of their potential hazards. This research investigates mycotoxin exposure from widely consumed cereal-based products, including enniatin B (ENNB), sterigmatocystin (STG), aflatoxin B1 (AFB1), cyclopiazonic acid (CPZ), citrinin (CIT), and ochratoxin A (OTA). Employing the median-effect equation based on Chou and Talalay's mass-action law, we assessed their cytotoxicity in human SH-SY5Y neuronal cells. Notably, ENNB displayed the highest neurotoxicity (IC50 = 3.72 µM), followed by OTA (9.10 µM) and STG (9.99 µM). The combination of OTA + STG exhibited the highest toxicity (IC50 = 3.77 µM), while CPZ + CIT showed the least detrimental effect. Approximately 70 % of tested binary combinations displayed synergistic or additive effects, except for ENNB + STG, ENNB + AFB1, and CPZ + CIT, which showed antagonistic interactions. Intriguingly, the senary combination displayed moderate antagonism at the lowest exposure and moderate synergism at higher doses. OTA exhibited predominantly synergistic interactions, comprising approximately 90 %, a noteworthy finding considering its prevalence in food. Conversely, ENNB interactions tended to be antagonistic. The most remarkable synergy occurred in the STG and CIT combination, enabling a 50-fold reduction in CIT dosage for an equivalent toxic effect. These findings highlight the biological relevance of robust synergistic interactions, emphasizing the need to assess human exposure hazards accurately, particularly considering frequent mycotoxin co-occurrence in environmental and food settings.

Pollen morphology of Rosales from Brazilian forest fragments of Cerrado

ABSTRACT Rosales, a well-supported order of angiosperms encompassing heterogeneous plants, holds significant representation in Brazilian territory, particularly Cerrado regions. These areas are susceptible to human impact. In this context, pollen data is vital in supporting taxonomic and ecological studies for species preservation. We analyzed pollen grains from 15 native Rosales species found in Brazilian Cerrado forest fragments belonging to the Cannabaceae, Moraceae, Rhamnaceae, and Rosaceae families using light and scanning electron microscopy. The pollen grains underwent acetolysis, qualitative description, and measurements, with statistical analysis, including multivariate methods, applied to quantitative data. Qualitative findings were organized for pollen description and multivariate cluster analysis. Our observations revealed pollen grains in monads, isopolar, small to medium, with subcircular, circular, or subtriangular amb, and suboblate, oblate-spheroidal, or prolate-spheroidal. Apertures include 2–3-porate, 3-colpate, or 3-colporate, with long or short ectoapertures, lalongate or circular endoapertures. The exine is thin, microreticulate, psilate-perforate, microgranulate, nanoechinate, or striate ornamentation, with the sexine thicker than the nexine. The key characteristics distinguishing families are number, type of apertures, and exine ornamentation. Quantitative data (length and width of ectoapertures, equatorial diameter in polar view, and polar diameter in equatorial view) contribute to the understanding of the palynology of Rosales from forest fragments, as these characteristics allow us to identify species or groups of species. Our findings confirm Rosales as eurypalinous, while the genera analyzed demonstrate stenopalynous traits. The qualitative and quantitative characteristics of pollen identified here expand the morphological knowledge of the species and can be used to understand the relationship among them.

The long-term expansion and recession of human populations

Over the last 12,000 y, human populations have expanded and transformed critical earth systems. Yet, a key unresolved question in the environmental and social sciences remains: Why did human populations grow and, sometimes, decline in the first place? Our research builds on 20 y of archaeological research studying the deep time dynamics of human populations to propose an explanation for the long-term growth and stability of human populations. Innovations in the productive capacity of populations fuels exponential-like growth over thousands of years; however, innovations saturate over time and, often, may leave populations vulnerable to large recessions in their well-being and population density. Empirically, we find a trade-off between changes in land use that increase the production and consumption of carbohydrates, driving repeated waves of population growth over thousands of years, and the susceptibility of populations to large recessions due to a lag in the impact of humans on resources. These results shed light on the long-term drivers of human population growth and decline.