Dylan Davis

New paper in @SciReports: "Traditional land use is integral to ecological function in SW Madagascar." Using machine learning and remote sensing, we show how land use from hundreds of years ago has a continual impact on ecological systems today. doi.org/10.1038/s41598…

@ESA_org @LamontEarth @columbiaclimate

New in Ecological Monographs (led by @LeanneNPhelps) we review current research trends and gaps in understanding grassy biomes on Madagascar. Bringing together over 50 researchers, the paper presents a framework to guide future transdisciplinary research. doi.org/10.1002/ecm.70…

New publication (led by @LeanneNPhelps): We analyze archaeological isotope data from across Africa to explore how people adapted their liveelihoods to increase resilience to environmental changes. This holds important lessons for sustainability today doi.org/10.1016/j.onee…

Thanks to all co-authors and funding provided by @NSF 7/7

These findings are important as they provide new ways to evaluate landscape use across different societies practicing varied subsistence strategies. This work also provides ways of using archaeology to make real-world impacts to efforts like environmental conservation 6/7

Just published in JAA (@ElsevierArchaeo), we use satellites to investigate how subsistence strategies influence the long-term stability and resilience of ecological systems on Madagascar! @OBTlab @columbiaclimate @LamontEarth doi.org/10.1016/j.jaa.… 🧵 1/7

Thanks to all of the co-authors (including @kgdouglass, Bram Tucker, and many others) and funding provided by @NSF, @WennerGrenOrg, and SPARC at the University of Arkansas 7/7

This finding suggests that traditional land-use practices actually improve ecosystem function over time! This is important as it challenges traditional narratives surrounding Mikea communities, who are often blamed for ecological degradation of the Mikea Forest 6/7

New in Journal of Social Archaeology, how do indigenous community livelihoods impact Madagascar’s dry forests? We investigate the lasting legacy of traditional land-use on the Mikea Forest @OBTlab @columbiaclimate @LamontEarth doi.org/10.1177/146960… 🧵1/7

The population of Rapa Nui before European contact was far smaller than previously thought, challenging the theory that the pre-contact communities outgrew their resources and suffered ecological and social collapse. scim.ag/7qw

A popular trope says settlers overtaxed an isolated Pacific island, wrecked the environment, and suffered a population collapse. New study led by @LamontEarth postdoc @DDavis_Arch claims the opposite, with the evidence found in "rock gardens." Learn more: lamont.columbia.edu/news/study-cha…