Multidisciplinary approach to reconstructing local pastoral activities: an example from the Pyrenean Mountains (Pays Basque)

Abstract

Abstract:In this study archaeology, history and palaeoecology (modern and fossil data sets of pollen and nonpollen palynomorphs) were used to reconstruct small-scale pastoral activities in the Pyrenees Mountains during the last two millennia. Modern pollen assemblages from the major vegetation units (both natural and anthropogenic) are studied on one restricted watershed area. A correlative model (RDA) of 61 modern pollen spectra and 35 external variables distinguishes two groups of taxa, providing information on the nature and spatial extent of human impact on the landscape. The first pool indicates local pastoral activities, and the second one implies regional input from outside the studied watershed, and is not characteristic of a specific land use. These pools are described as 'Local Pastoral Pollen Indicators' (LPPI) for this particular mountain region on crystalline bedrock and 'Regional Human Activities Pollen Indicators' (RHAPI). The modern data set is used to aid interpretation of the local pollen sequence of Sourzay that covers the last 2000 calendar years BP, using RDA reconstructions, and best modern analogues as a means of comparing modern and fossil spectra. The study also demonstrates agreement between the independent interpretations of two fossil proxies, LPPI and coprophilous fungi.

Modern and fossil non-pollen palynomorphs from the Basque mountains (western Pyrenees, France): the use of coprophilous fungi to reconstruct pastoral activity

“…Fossil ascospores of dung-related fungi can be used to assess the presence of past fauna, in particular herbivores (wild or livestock) (e.g. van Geel et al 1983van Geel et al , 2003Davis 1987;Ralska-Jasiewisczowa and van Geel 1992;Hausmann et al 2002;Bos et al 2005;Davis and Shafer 2006;Mazier et al 2009). …”

“…These samples were employed for the study of modern NPPs. Fossil NPPs were then analysed from the peat bog, which had previously been cored for pollen analysis (Mazier et al 2009). …”

A History of Long-Term Human–Environment Interactions in the French Pyrenees Inferred from the Pollen Data

“…Therefore identi fi cation of other pollen indicators undoubtedly associated with human actions is needed. We propose using the indicator-species approach derived from ethnobotanical investigations and based on modern pollen representation of cultigens and other plants characteristic of agro-pastoral practices (Behre 1981(Behre , 1986Mazier et al 2006Mazier et al , 2009 . Cultivated species, arable weeds as well as ruderal plants found in areas impacted by past human activities such as fallows, waste ground, surroundings of buildings are considered to be such reliable indicators.…”

Palynological perspectives on vegetation survey: a critical step for model-based reconstruction of Quaternary land cover

“…This is not to say that the minor taxa are not interesting, but their value is largely as indicator taxa rather than as sources of reconstruction of the broad structure of the vegetation composition (e.g. providing information about intensity and moisture levels in pasture areas, not about the proportion of the landscape dominated by grassy communities; see Behre, 1981;Gaillard et al, 1994;Hjelle, 1998Hjelle, , 1999aMazier et al, 2006Mazier et al, , 2009. The major taxa are defined as the dominant taxa in recent and past vegetation/landscape.…”