Work

Human-accelerated Holocene vegetation change is greater than expected on the Tibetan Plateau

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: We compiled 61 fossil pollen records on the Tibetan Plateau in the past 17 000 years to show that human-contributed acceleration in vegetation compositional change began ranging from 0.9 to 1.2 ka BP, although with a smaller magnitude than climate-driven changes during the deglacial period. We suggested that widespread human disturbance of Tibetan ecosystems occurred earlier than expected, aligning with global trends and forming a clear, datable marker of human footprint in stratigraphic records.

Source: Journal of Plant Ecology

DOI: 10.1093/jpe/rtaf139

Authors: Peng-Chao Zhang, Tao Wang, Xian-Yong Cao, Yue-Heng Jin, Yi Luo, Xiao-Yi Wang

Institutions: Chinese Academy of Sciences, Institute of Tibetan Plateau Research, Lanzhou University, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences

Language: English

Topic: Geology and Paleoclimatology Research

Subfield: Atmospheric Science

Field: Earth and Planetary Sciences

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDGs: Life on land, Climate action

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $2,190