Large-scale subclimax in the Amazonian lowland forests due to pre-Colombian deforestation

Research summary

Hundreds of geoglyphs, geometrically formed man-made earth works, have only recently been found in southwestern Brazilian Amazonia and adjacent Bolivia. Geoglyphs occur in an area that partly overlaps with bamboo-dominated forests that are exceptional rain forests because they are dominated by a single species. The aim of the project is to find out if there is a causal relationship between bamboo forests and geoglyphs.

Description

Research info

Research title
Large-scale subclimax in the Amazonian lowland forests due to pre-Colombian deforestation

Research timeline
1.9.2016 - 1.8.2020

Keywords
Amazon archeology bamboo earth works ecology geoglyphs rain forest remote sensing

Region
Latin America

Countries
Brazil, Finland, Peru

Institution
University of Turku
Department of Geography and Geology
Turku, Finland

Funding instrument
Ministry for Foreign Affairs (ICI, HEI-ICI, N-S-S), Academy of Finland

Head of research
Risto Kalliola

Research team
Risto Kalliola, Martti Pärssinen, Pirjo K. Virtanen, Kalle Ruokolainen

Partners
University of Turku, University of Helsinki

Contact information
Risto Kalliola
03-3335577
risto.kalliola@utu.fi
Open link

Record last updated
10.11.2016