The Rise of the Anthroposphere since 50,000 Years: An Ecological Replacement of Megaherbivores by Humans in Terrestrial Ecosystems?

2018/01/24 by Hervé Bocherens · 1 voice
Environmental Science · Social Sciences · Earth and Planetary Sciences · #Wildlife Ecology and Conservation #Pleistocene-Era Hominins and Archaeology #Evolution and Paleontology Studies

paper · pdf · doi:10.3389/fevo.2018.00003

openalex publication_date 2018/01/24 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/30

Abstract

Megaherbivores fulfilled a number of important ecological function in terrestrial ecosystems and behaved as ecological engineers since 300 million years until around 12,000 years ago. The late Pleistocene extinction led to the loss of important ecological functions that were partially restore by agriculturists humans through an ecological replacement. Understanding better the differences and similarities in the ecological impact of megaherbivores and agricultural humans should help to predict the future of terrestrial ecosystems.

Citations

• Global nutrient transport in a world of giants
• Pleistocene extinctions: the pivotal role of megaherbivores
• The Anthropogenic Greenhouse Era Began Thousands of Years Ago
• Seed dispersal kernel of the largest surviving megaherbivore—the African savanna elephant

Discussions

• You could call this "the Elephant in the Room" or alternatively "we're going to need a bigger cow." Fascinating paper (which certainly tallies with my views.) Ecological Replacement of Mega-Herbivores [bsky, 0 points, 0 comments]