The potential of historical ecology to aid understanding of human–ocean interactions throughout the Anthropocene

Abstract

Marine historical ecology emerged in the scholarly literature with the aim of understanding long-term dynamics in marine ecosystems and the outcomes of past human-ocean interactions. The use of historical sources, which differ in temporal scale and resolution to most scientific monitoring data, present both opportunities and challenges for informing our understanding of past marine ecosystems and the ways in which human communities made use of them. With an emphasis upon marine social-ecological changes over the past 200 years, I present an overview of the relevant historical ecology literature and summarise how this approach generates a richer understanding of human-ocean interactions and the legacies associated with human-induced ecosystem change. Marine historical ecology methodologies continue to be developed, whereas expanded inter-and multidisciplinary collaborations provide exciting avenues for future discoveries. Beyond scholarship, historical ecology presents opportunities to foster a more sustainable relationship with oceans going forward: by challenging ingrained perceptions of what is "normal" within marine ecosystems, reconnecting human communities to the oceans and providing cautionary lessons and exemplars of sustainable human-ocean interactions from the past. To leverage these opportunities, scholars must work alongside practitioners, managers and policy makers to foster mutual understanding, explore new opportunities to communicate historical findings and address the challenges of integrating historical data into modern-day frameworks.

Neglected fishery data sources as indicators of pre‐industrial ecological properties of Mediterranean swordfish (Xiphias gladius, Xiphiidae)

“…In summary, we have analysed new—neglected—time series data for a charismatic, commercially important, highly migratory top predator in the Mediterranean Sea. Our study adds to a growing literature which highlights the value of historical reports and archives for generating new insights into marine ecological dynamics (Caswell et al, 2020; Engelhard et al, 2016; Schwerdtner Máñez et al, 2014; Thurstan, 2022). Here we have shown that such sources provide information not only about the target species of fisheries but also bycatch species.…”

“…Consequently, the impacts of human activities and other ecological processes that occur in the sea at longer time scales, manifested as either trends, cycles, or threshold‐like regime shifts, are not evident from most available short time series. Estimates of biomass and distribution of marine life, and how it has fluctuated over time based on recent, short time series, can therefore provide a limited perception of the status of populations and ecosystems (Caswell et al, 2020; MacKenzie & Ojaveer, 2018; Pauly, 1995; Thurstan, 2022).…”

“…However, for many exploited fish populations, indicators of biomass fluctuations cover a relatively recent and short period of exploitation history (i.e., last 2–4 decades; Caswell et al, 2020; Jackson et al, 2001; Pauly, 1995; Thurstan, 2022). Furthermore, datasets describing other indicators of variations in biological properties and life history (e.g., body sizes, growth rates, phenologies of spawning migrations and reproduction) of populations, are generally fewer and shorter (Asch, 2019; Jackson et al, 2001; Lotze et al, 2014; McClenachan et al, 2012).…”

“…Estimates of biomass and distribution of marine life, and how it has fluctuated over time based on recent, short time series, can therefore provide a limited perception of the status of populations and ecosystems (Caswell et al, 2020;MacKenzie & Ojaveer, 2018;Pauly, 1995;Thurstan, 2022). Moreover, it is becoming clear that the productivity of fish stocks varies over multi-annual and multi-decadal time scales (Chang et al, 2020;Lindegren et al, 2018;Mildenberger et al, 2020;Tableau et al, 2019;Vert-pre et al, 2013), and co-varies with ecosystem forcing (Mantzouni et al, 2010;Minto et al, 2014).…”

The impact of the human activities on aquatic ecosystems

“…As scientists try to estimate the extent of the impact climate change is having on oceans, rivers and lakes, it is important to understand that human‐induced change has also historical roots that go back centuries and that it is crucial to research in the past of this tight relationship to facilitate recovery to a “healthier” state in the future. Thurstan (2022) leads us into a journey that explores the last 200 years of human exploitation of the oceans and its impact on marine ecosystem dynamics. This contribution highlights the importance of considering past human contributions to conservation and management practices.…”