The paleo-anthropocene and the genesis of the current landscape of Israel

Oren Ackermann, Aren M. Maeir, Suembikya Frumin, Tal Svoray, Ehud Weiss, Helena M. Zhevelev, Liora Kolska Horwitz

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

12 Scopus citations

Abstract

Worldwide, human impact on natural landscapes has intensified since prehistoric times, and this is well documented in the global archaeological record. The period between the earliest hominids and the Industrial Revolution of the late 18-19th centuries is known as the Paleo-Anthropocene. The current study reviews key geoarchaeological, floral and faunal factors of the Paleo-Anthropocene in Israel, an area that has undergone human activities in various intensities since prehistoric times. It discusses significant human imprints on these three features in the Israeli landscape, demonstrating that its current form is almost entirely anthropogenic. Moreover, some of the past physical changes still dynamically shape Israel's zoological, archaeological and geomorphic landscape today. It is hoped that insights from this article might aid in guiding present-day management strategies of undeveloped areas through renewal of human activity guided by traditional knowledge.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)109-140
Number of pages32
JournalJournal of Landscape Ecology(Czech Republic)
Volume10
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - 1 Dec 2017

Keywords

  • Anthropocene
  • Eco-geomorphology
  • Environmental Interaction
  • Human
  • Landscape History
  • Management of Anthropogenic Landscape
  • Traditional Knowledge

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Ecology
  • Nature and Landscape Conservation
  • Management, Monitoring, Policy and Law

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