Ancient Bioinvasions: Can We Improve Evidentiary Standards for Species Introduction Research in Archaeology?

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• Christina Giovas - Simon Fraser University
• Friday 17 February 2023, 15:30-16:15
• South Lecture Room, Department of Archaeology, Downing Street, Cambridge CB2 3ER.

If you have a question about this talk, please contact Taylor Peacock.

In the last 20,000 years humans have become the most powerful force shaping the geographic distribution of animal species, eclipsing natural processes in the tempo, if not scope, of biogeographic changes realized. Today, bioinvasions are among the most significant threats facing wildlife. Archaeology can contribute to sound wildlife management and conservation policy by documenting animal introductions, the diversity and complexity of human–non-native species relationships and post-invasion ecological dynamics in the past. However, doing so requires systematic, rigorous approaches to chronology, faunal assemblage characteristics and often poorly understood variables, such as propagule pressure, supported by multi-proxy data and formal standards of evidence. Focusing on case studies from the pre-Columbian Caribbean, I explore these important considerations and their relevance to modern biodiversity conservation.

This talk is part of the Pitt-Rivers Archaeological Science Seminar Series series.

This talk is included in these lists:

• AUB_Cambridge Seminars
• Pitt-Rivers Archaeological Science Seminar Series
• South Lecture Room, Department of Archaeology, Downing Street, Cambridge CB2 3ER

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