Present forest biodiversity patterns in france related to former Roman agriculture.
Combined archaeological and ecological investigations in a large ancient oak forest in Central France have revealed a dense network of ancient human settlements dating from the Roman period. We demonstrate a strong correlation between present-day forest plant diversity patterns and the location of Roman farm buildings. Plant species richness strongly increases toward the center of the settlements, and the frequency of neutrophilous and nitrogen-demanding species is higher. This pattern is paralleled by an increase in soil pH, available P, and delta(15)N, indicating the long-term impact of former agricultural practices on forest biogeochemical cycles. These extensive observations in a forested region on acid soils complement and confirm previous results from a single Roman settlement on limestone. Ancient Roman agricultural systems are increasingly being identified in contemporary French forests; the broad extent and long-lasting effects of previous cultivation shown in this study require that land-use history be considered as a primary control over biodiversity variations in many forest landscapes, even after millennia of abandonment.
Dambrine
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E
INRA, 54280 Champenoux, France. dambrine@nancy.inra.fr
Dupouey
J L
JL
Laüt
L
L
Humbert
L
L
Thinon
M
M
Beaufils
T
T
Richard
H
H
D000383:Agriculture; D001106:Archaeology / Q000379:methods*; D044822:Biodiversity; D017753:Ecosystem; D005602:France; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D009584:Nitrogen / Q000032:analysis; D010758:Phosphorus / Q000032:analysis; D012987:Soil / Q000032:analysis*; D013045:Species Specificity; D013997:Time Factors; D014197:Trees
D012987:Soil; D010758:Phosphorus; D009584:Nitrogen