Plant species richness at archaeological sites suggests ecological legacy of Indigenous subsistence on the Colorado Plateau
Bruce M. Pavlik, Lisbeth A. Louderback, Kenneth B. Vernon, Peter Yaworsky, Cynthia Wilson, Arnold Clifford, Brian F. Codding
Abstract
), occurred at archaeological sites, despite being uncommon across the wider landscape. Our results reveal a clear ecological legacy of past human behavior: even when holding environmental variables constant, ESR increases significantly as a function of past investment in habitation and subsistence. Consequently, we suggest that propagules of some species were transported and cultivated, intentionally or not, establishing populations that persist to this day. Ensuring persistence will require tribal input for conserving and restoring archaeo-ecosystems containing "high-priority" plant species, especially those held sacred as lifeway medicines. This transdisciplinary approach has important implications for resource management planning, especially in areas such as Bears Ears that will experience greater visitation and associated impacts in the near future.