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Cited by 10Amazonian Archaeology and EthnohistoryFire effects on ecosystemsSoil and Environmental Studies

The DOI matches its Crossref record; 132 of the 132 references it cites were found in a registry or an index; 1 of the 84 sources its claims cite were checked for support.

Pre‐contact and post‐colonial ecological legacies shape Surinamese rainforests

Open access
Witteveen, Nina H., White, Cheryl, Sánchez‐Martínez, Barbara A., Philip, Annemarie, Boyd, Femke, Booij, Roemer, Christ, Reyan, Singh, Santosh, Gosling, William D., Piperno, Dolores R., McMichael, Crystal N. H.·2024·Ecology
DOI 10.1002/ecy.4272
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Abstract

Disturbances in tropical forests can have long-lasting ecological impacts, but their manifestations (ecological legacies) in modern forests are uncertain. Many Amazonian forests bear the mark of past soil modifications, species enrichments, and fire events, but the trajectories of ecological legacies from the pre-contact or post-colonial period remain relatively unexplored. We assessed the fire and vegetation history from 15 soil cores ranging from 0 to 10 km from a post-colonial Surinamese archaeological site. We show that (1) fires occurred from 96 bc to recent times and induced significant vegetation change, (2) persistent ecological legacies from pre-contact and post-colonial fire and deforestation practices were mainly within 1 km of the archaeological site, and (3) palm enrichment of Attalea, Oenocarpus and Astrocaryum occurred within 0, 1, and 8 km of the archaeological site, respectively. Our results challenge the notion of spatially extensive and persistent ecological legacies. Instead, our data indicate that the persistence and extent of ecological legacies are dependent on their timing, frequency, type, and intensity. Examining the mechanisms and manifestations of ecological legacies is crucial in assessing forest resilience and Indigenous and local land rights in the highly threatened Amazonian forests.

Overview

AI snapshot

Written from the paper’s full text.

TL;DR

This study uses charcoal and phytolith records from 15 soil cores around the post-colonial Surinamese archaeological site Beng Tapu to test how far pre-contact and post-colonial ecological legacies extend. It finds that persistent legacies were mostly localized within 1 km, while some fire and vegetation changes occurred 6–8 km away, challenging assumptions of spatially extensive Amazonian legacies.

Key findings

  • Charcoal occurred in 84 of 117 samples and all 15 soil cores; 12 radiocarbon-dated fragments showed fires from 96 BC to modern times, with 7 pre-contact dates (96 BC–AD 1381) and 5 post-colonial dates (AD 1661–modern). Large charcoal volumes >10 mm³/cm³ were recovered within 1 km of Beng Tapu.
  • Maize phytoliths occurred only within 1 km of Beng Tapu (soil cores BT2 and Pf1), while banana phytoliths occurred up to 5 km away (F5, C, A1, BT1, A2). Modern aboveground biomass was lowest (<200 Mg/ha) within 1 km, ranged 284–404 Mg/ha within 5 km, and 274–433 Mg/ha >5 km away.
  • Palm enrichment was spatially structured: Attalea, Oenocarpus, and Astrocaryum increased within 0, 1, and 8 km of the archaeological site, respectively. SPH_ECH palm phytoliths increased within 1 km, and Astrocaryum/Bactris increased within 8 km in soil cores with charcoal.
  • Fire and forest opening were not restricted to the site vicinity: elevated grass abundances and charcoal occurred at F7 and F8 (6 and 8 km away), and high charcoal >10 mm³/cm³ occurred at F3 (6 km) without forest-opening evidence. The largest vegetation changes occurred at BT1, A1, F7, and F8, not simply by distance from Beng Tapu.

Methods

  • Two 10-km transects radiated from the Beng Tapu archaeological site in Sipaliwini, Suriname; soil cores were collected at 250 m, 500 m, and 1, 2, 4, 8, and 10 km, with samples at 10-cm intervals to 80 cm depth. In total, 15 surface samples and 102 soil-core samples (N = 117) were analyzed for phytoliths and charcoal.
  • Phytoliths were extracted using standard procedures, counted to a minimum of 200 arboreal and 400 total phytoliths, and assigned to 20 morphotype/taxonomic groups. Charcoal volume was calculated from photographed fragments using ImageJ.
  • Twelve charcoal fragments were AMS radiocarbon dated and calibrated with IntCal20. Detrended correspondence analysis (DCA) assessed phytolith assemblage dissimilarity, and trend/magnitude of change was calculated for five common phytolith groups; openness index and modern aboveground biomass estimates were compared across sites.

Limitations

  • The paper states that no pre-contact settlements have been investigated in the vicinity of the study region, limiting interpretation of the pre-contact period, and that archaeological studies in Suriname’s forested interior are scarce. It also notes that not all samples were dated, that modern deforestation and agricultural activities make past human impacts difficult to determine at soil cores C, A1, and A2, and that phytoliths can move downward in soils; soil core C may have been exposed to erosion or overturning from recent slash-and-burn.
  • The paper states that the F7 and F8 sites may be close to a yet-undiscovered pre-contact occupation site, so those distant fire signals are interpreted indirectly rather than from known archaeological context.
  • Evident from the text: the pre-contact and post-colonial interpretations rely on a relatively small number of dated charcoal fragments (N = 12) and on soil-core records without comprehensive independent archaeological dating at every sampled location.

Model-written summary. Check it against the paper before relying on it.

Integrity signals

Registry

Crossref · 10.1002/ecy.4272

Cites

132 of 132 references verified0 citation errors · 0 not checkable

Statistics

Nothing to recompute.

Verification

Claims the paper makes

1 of 84 cited sources checked · 0 supported · 0 flagged · accuracy not yet measured

  • Interpretationcitation

    The high abundance of Euterpe oleraceae at Pf2 may be explained by local edaphic and hydrological conditions, as Euterpe oleraceae reportedly grows near creeks and in swampy areas.

    “An explanation for the high abundance of Euterpe oleraceae may be local edaphic and hydrological conditions, as Euterpe oleraceae reportedly grows near creeks and in swampy areas”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim1 of 3 sources checked
    • cites Johnston, 1998 source
    • cites Ter Steege et al., 2013 source

      Table 1 (Research Article; page not given) lists Euterpe oleracea as abundant in Amazonia, but does not describe where it grows. The forest-type discussion (page not given) also does not say it grows near creeks or in swampy areas. Searches for those habitats and for flooded forests found no passage supporting the habitat explanation attributed to this source. (LLM, conf=0.72)

      Experimental — accuracy not yet measured
    • cites van Andel, 2000

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

  • Findingown data

    Palm enrichment of Astrocaryum occurred within 8 km of the archaeological site.

    “palm enrichment of Attalea, Oenocarpus and Astrocaryum occurred within 0, 1, and 8 km of the archaeological site, respectively”
    • Also stated in: § RESULTS · plain
      “Third, phytoliths from Astryocaryum or Bactris increased within 8 km of the archaeological site, in soil cores where charcoal occurred.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • Findingown data

    Palm enrichment of Oenocarpus occurred within 1 km of the archaeological site.

    “palm enrichment of Attalea, Oenocarpus and Astrocaryum occurred within 0, 1, and 8 km of the archaeological site, respectively”
    • Also stated in: § RESULTS · plain
      “Second, SPH_ECH phytoliths produced by Euterpe, Oenocarpus, Attalea, Hyospathe elegans or Cocos nucifera increased within 1 km of the archaeological site.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • Findingown data

    Fires occurred in the study area from 96 BC to modern times.

    “Radiocarbon-dated charcoal fragments (N = 12) from soil cores indicated that fires occurred between 96 BC and modern times”
    • Also stated in: § Abstract · plain
      “fires occurred from 96 BC to recent times”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • Findingown data

    Palm enrichment of Attalea occurred within 0 km of the archaeological site.

    “palm enrichment of Attalea, Oenocarpus and Astrocaryum occurred within 0, 1, and 8 km of the archaeological site, respectively”
    • Also stated in: § RESULTS · plain
      “First, Attalea and Oenocarpus (specific) palm phytoliths increased at the archaeological site.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
  • It may state two separate claims as one. 39
  • Probably not a substantial claim. 14

  • It may state two separate claims as one.

    Findingown data

    Seven dated charcoal fragments were obtained from within 1 km of the Beng Tapu archaeological site, where large charcoal volumes >10 mm3/cm3 were recovered.

    “Seven dated fragments were obtained from within 1 km of the Beng Tapu archaeological site, where large charcoal volumes >10 mm 3 /cm 3 were recovered.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • It may state two separate claims as one.

    Findingown data

    Phytoliths from Knobby, Heliconia, and Asteraceae were present across the transect, but were identified in most samples from soil cores within 1 km of Beng Tapu, while occurring only once or twice in a soil core >1 km away.

    “Although phytoliths from Knobby, Heliconia, and Asteraceae were present across the transect, these morphotypes were identified in most samples from soil cores within 1 km of Beng Tapu, while occurring only once or twice in a soil core >1 km away from Beng Tapu”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • It may state two separate claims as one.

    Findingown data

    Within 1 km of Beng Tapu, arboreal abundances were <50% and openness values <10.

    “Within 1 km of Beng Tapu, arboreal abundances were <50% and openness values <10”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • It may state two separate claims as one.

    Findingown data

    For soil cores between 2 and 10 km of the archaeological site, openness values decreased from basal to top samples but ranged between 10 and 664.

    “For other soil cores between 2 and 10 km of the archaeological site, openness values decreased from basal to top samples but ranged between 10 and 664 (values >10 indicate forested settings).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • It may state two separate claims as one.

    Findingown data

    Astrocaryum palms increased in soil cores with past fire events and in the area where modern shifting cultivation occurs.

    “Our results support this hypothesis and show that Astrocaryum palms increased in soil cores with past fire events and in the area where modern shifting cultivation occurs”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Appendix S1: Figure S1

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

  • It may state two separate claims as one.

    Findingown data

    Radiocarbon dating from excavations at Beng Tapu confirmed that Beng Tapu is the traditional territory of the Saamaka Maroons who settled in the late 17th century and remain so to this day.

    “Radiocarbon dating from excavations at Beng Tapu revealed that colonial metal, soft paste earthenware potsherds, and hard-paste ceramics recovered in a charcoal lens confirmed that Beng Tapu is the traditional territory of the Saamaka Maroons who settled in the late 17th century and remain so to this day”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • It may state two separate claims as one.

    Findingown data

    Charcoal was present in 84 of 117 samples and in all 15 soil cores; 52 samples contained minute amounts (<1 mm3/cm3).

    “Charcoal was present in 84 of the 117 samples, and in all 15 soil cores, however 52 samples contained minute amounts (<1 mm 3 /cm 3 ; Figure 2).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • It may state two separate claims as one.

    Findingown data

    Both palm-dominated forests (Pf1, Pf2) contained soils that appeared white and sandy instead of orange and clay, suggesting higher sand concentrations than other locations.

    “Interestingly, both palm-dominated forests (Pf1, Pf2) contained soils that appeared white and sandy instead of orange and clay, suggesting higher sand concentrations than other locations”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • It may state two separate claims as one.

    Findingcitation

    Pf2 was dominated by Euterpe oleraceae and was located near a vegetation marker for archaeological sites (a Ceiba pentandra tree).

    “This location was dominated by Euterpe oleraceae, a hyperdominant species widely used to build houses and fences, as food and juice (van Andel & Ruysschaert, 2014), and was located near a vegetation marker for archaeological sites (a Ceiba pentandra tree).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites van Andel & Ruysschaert, 2014

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

  • It may state two separate claims as one.

    Findingown data

    Ornate SPHEROID increased between 5 and 10 km of Beng Tapu and rugose SPHEROID decreased in all soil cores except Pf2.

    “Finally, ornate SPHEROID increased between 5 and 10 km of Beng Tapu and rugose SPHEROID decreased in all soil cores except Pf2”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • It may state two separate claims as one.

    Findingreasoning

    Burning events and forest openings were not restricted to areas close to Beng Tapu as hypothesized, but were also found at 6 and 8 km distance from the site.

    “Burning events and forest openings were not restricted to areas close to Beng Tapu as hypothesized, but were also found at 6 and 8 km distance from the site”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • It may state two separate claims as one.

    Findingnone given

    Palm phytoliths did not increase at Pf2 but remained high at every depth.

    “In contrast, however, palm phytoliths did not increase at Pf2 but remained high at every depth.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • It may state two separate claims as one.

    Findingown data

    Within 5 km of Beng Tapu, where post-colonial cultivation practices have occurred, AGB estimates ranged between 284 and 404 Mg/ha and overlapped with AGB estimates >5 km away (274-433 Mg/ha), all values within the range of biomass estimates for Amazonian forests.

    “Within 5 km of Beng Tapu, where post-colonial cultivation practices have occurred, AGB estimates ranged between 284 and 404 Mg/ha and overlapped with AGB estimates >5 km away (274-433 Mg/ha), all values that fell within the range of biomass estimates for Amazonian forests”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 3 sources checked
    • cites Brown & Lugo, 1992

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

    • cites de Castilho et al., 2006 source
    • cites Nascimento & Laurance, 2002 source

  • It may state two separate claims as one.

    Findingown data

    The largest magnitude of vegetation change occurred in soil cores BT1, A1, F7, and F8, seen by the largest decrease in rugose SPHEROID paired with an increase in palms and ornate SPHEROID.

    “The largest magnitude of vegetation change (Figure 4b) occurred in soil cores BT1, A1, F7, and F8, seen by the largest decrease in rugose SPHEROID that was paired with an increase in palms and ornate SPHEROID.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • It may state two separate claims as one.

    Findingown data

    Phytoliths from samples within the upper 10 cm of soils were most similar to phytoliths from modern cultivation sites, and phytoliths from basal (50-80 cm) parts were closest to rugose SPHEROID produced by arboreal and woody taxa.

    “Phytoliths from samples within the upper 10 cm of soils were most similar to the phytoliths collected from modern cultivation sites, and phytoliths from basal (50-80 cm) parts were closest to rugose SPHEROID produced by arboreal and woody taxa.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • It may state two separate claims as one.

    Findingown data

    DCA results indicated that the major differences in vegetation variation occurred from the bottom toward the top of the soil cores, highlighting the importance of trends of change through time shaping modern vegetation.

    “DCA results indicated that the major differences in vegetation variation occurred from the bottom toward the top of the soil cores, highlighting the importance of trends of change through time shaping modern vegetation”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • It may state two separate claims as one.

    Findingcitation

    Several burned seeds of Attalea maripa were found during the archaeological excavation, which Saamaka Maroons use to produce oil.

    “Several burned seeds of Attalea maripa were found during the archaeological excavation, which Saamaka Maroons use to produce oil”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites van Andel & Ruysschaert, 2014

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

  • It may state two separate claims as one.

    Findingown data

    Seven dated charcoal fragments were pre-contact in age (96 BC to AD 1381), and five were post-colonial in age (AD 1661 to modern).

    “Seven dated charcoal fragments were pre-contact in age (96 BC to AD 1381), and the other five were post-colonial in age (AD 1661 to modern).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it. The paper may give no reason why it holds. It may state two separate claims as one.

    Findingnone given

    Beng Tapu is situated within 1 km of the Suriname River, making it easily accessible by boat and abundant in terrestrial and aquatic resources.

    “Beng Tapu is situated within 1 km of the Suriname River, making it easily accessible by boat and abundant in terrestrial and aquatic resources.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • It may state two separate claims as one.

    Findingown data

    High charcoal abundances >10 mm3/cm3 occurred at F3 (6 km from Beng Tapu), but evidence of forest opening was absent.

    “High charcoal abundances >10 mm 3 /cm 3 also occurred at F3 (6 km from Beng Tapu), but evidence of forest opening was absent”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • It may state two separate claims as one.

    Findingown data

    Within 1 km of Beng Tapu, charcoal volumes were highest and more phytoliths indicative of disturbances or forest opening were present.

    “Also, within 1 km of the site, charcoal volumes were highest and more phytoliths indicative of disturbances or forest opening were present, supporting our hypothesis that land use was most intensive within 1 km of Beng Tapu.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • It may state two separate claims as one.

    Findingnone given

    The charcoal at F3, F7, and F8 were dated to the pre-contact period and Beng Tapu is a mid-18th century archaeological site.

    “This is likely because the charcoal at F3, F7, and F8 were dated to the pre-contact period and Beng Tapu is a mid-18th century archaeological site.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it. It may state two separate claims as one.

    Premisecitation

    During the pre-contact period in Suriname, the Koriabo culture inhabited inland forests, but overall pre-contact settlements are understudied and hypothesized to be small.

    “During the pre-contact period in Suriname, the Koriabo culture inhabited inland forests, but overall pre-contact settlements are understudied and hypothesized to be small”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Versteeg, 2003

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

  • Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it. It may state two separate claims as one.

    Premisecitation

    Palms have increased in abundance in Amazonia in recent millennia, but the role of humans remains unclear.

    “Palms, one of the most useful and common plant groups in Amazonia have increased in abundance in recent millennia, but the role of humans remains unclear”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 3 sources checked
    • cites Bush & McMichael, 2016

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

    • cites Clement et al., 2015 source
    • cites Heijink et al., 2020

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

  • It may state two separate claims as one.

    Premisecitation

    The modification of plant abundances is not always persistent because many useful plant species are short lived.

    “The modification of plant abundances, however, is not always persistent as many useful plant species are short lived”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Åkesson et al., 2021

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

  • Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it.

    Premisecitation

    Colonization brought disease that resulted in widespread mortality of Indigenous people.

    “Colonization also brought disease that resulted in widespread mortality of Indigenous people”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 2 sources checked
    • cites Denevan, 2014 source
    • cites Dobyns, 2017 source

  • It may state two separate claims as one.

    Premisecitation

    Colonization changed where surviving Indigenous people lived and how they used the forest.

    “changed where the surviving Indigenous people lived and how they used the forest”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 2 sources checked
    • cites Dobyns, 1983

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

    • cites Urzedo & Chatterjee, 2022

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

  • It may state two separate claims as one.

    Premisecitation

    After European colonization, Maroons, descendants of enslaved Africans, escaped from coastal plantations and settled in the Surinamese rainforests where they still live today.

    “After European colonization, Maroons, descendants of enslaved Africans, escaped from coastal plantations and settled in the Surinamese rainforests where they still live today”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Price, 1983

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

  • It may state two separate claims as one.

    Premisecitation

    Fire in Amazonian forests today and in the past is mainly associated with human activities because many forests are too wet for natural ignitions to spread.

    “Fire in Amazonian forests (today and in the past) is mainly associated with human activities as many forests are too wet for natural ignitions to spread”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 3 sources checked
    • cites Bush et al., 2008 source
    • cites Cochrane, 2003 source
    • cites Cochrane & Schulze, 1998

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

  • Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it.

    Premisecitation

    Similar riverine and lake areas in Amazonia have been occupied multiple times in the late Holocene.

    “Similar riverine and lake areas in Amazonia have been occupied multiple times in the late Holocene”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 3 sources checked
    • cites Åkesson et al., 2021

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

    • cites Åkesson et al., 2023 source
    • cites Maezumi et al., 2018

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

  • Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it. It may state two separate claims as one.

    Interpretationcitation

    Changes in forest composition that occurred in the absence of major fire or forest opening events may be a part of natural forest dynamics or an indirect effect of hunting activities.

    “Changes in forest composition that occurred in the absence of major fire or forest opening events may be a part of natural forest dynamics or an indirect effect of hunting activities”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 3 sources checked
    • cites Antunes et al., 2016 source
    • cites Peres et al., 2016 source
    • cites Peres & Lake, 2003 source

  • Probably not a substantial claim.

    Premisecitation

    Previous studies have shown that the upper 20 cm of soil cores may encompass pre-contact and post-colonial periods.

    “Previous studies have shown that the upper 20 cm of soil cores may encompass pre-contact and post-colonial periods”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 3 sources checked
    • cites Heijink et al., 2023

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

    • cites McMichael et al., 2022 source
    • cites Piperno et al., 2021 source

  • It may state two separate claims as one.

    Interpretationown data

    Charcoal volumes were generally higher in the top 20 cm of a soil core, which could suggest an increased fire intensity in the post-colonial period.

    “Additionally, charcoal volumes were generally higher in the top 20 cm of a soil core, which could suggest an increased fire intensity in the post-colonial period”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • It may state two separate claims as one.

    Interpretationreasoning

    Although not all samples were dated, five of these contained banana phytoliths, indicating that these changes occurred in the post-colonial rather than the pre-contact period.

    “Although not all samples were dated, five of these contained banana phytoliths, indicating that these changes occurred in the post-colonial rather than the pre-contact period.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • It may state two separate claims as one.

    Premisecitation

    Openness values <10 and low arboreal abundances (<50%) were found in forest openings >0.5 ha.

    “Openness values <10 and low arboreal abundances (<50%) were found in forest openings >0.5 ha”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Witteveen et al., 2023

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

  • It may state two separate claims as one.

    Interpretationown data

    Maize was potentially grown during both the pre-contact and post-colonial periods, because it occurred in basal and top samples.

    “Maize was potentially grown during both the pre-contact and post-colonial periods, because it occurred in basal and top samples”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • It may state two separate claims as one.

    Interpretationreasoning

    Evidence of both pre-contact and post-colonial cultivation practices within 1 km of Beng Tapu left persistent ecological legacies on modern biomass, but the post-colonial legacies that extended up to 5 km of the site did not.

    “Collectively, our results suggest that evidence of both pre-contact and post-colonial cultivation practices within 1 km of Beng Tapu left persistent ecological legacies on modern biomass, but the post-colonial legacies that extended up to 5 km of the site did not.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim. It may state two separate claims as one.

    Interpretationcitation

    The different palm increases within 0, 1, and 8 km of the archaeological site might reflect direct enrichment (Attalea) versus indirect enrichment (Astrocaryum) because both genera include palms adapted to fire and open habitats.

    “The different palm increases within 0, 1, and 8 km of the archaeological site might reflect direct enrichment (Attalea) versus indirect enrichment (Astrocaryum) because both genera include palms that are adapted to fire and open habitats”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 2 sources checked
    • cites Henderson et al., 2019 source
    • cites Smith, 2014

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

  • Probably not a substantial claim. It may state two separate claims as one.

    Premisecitation

    Changes in species composition and associated plant traits impact ecosystem processes and functioning and the resilience of ecosystems to current anthropogenic or climatic pressures.

    “Changes in species composition and associated plant traits ultimately impact ecosystem processes and functioning (Bruelheide et al., 2018;Fortunel et al., 2016), and its resilience to withstand current anthropogenic or climatic pressures.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 2 sources checked
    • cites Bruelheide et al., 2018 source
    • cites Fortunel et al., 2016 source

  • Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it.

    Premisecitation

    In central Amazonia, palm densities are higher on sandy soils compared with clay-rich soils.

    “In central Amazonia, palm densities are higher on sandy soils compared with clay-rich soils”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites de Castilho et al., 2006 source

  • It may state two separate claims as one.

    Interpretationcitation

    Because land tillage near Beng Tapu is done manually, disturbances >50 cm depth are not expected, but soil core C may have been exposed to soil erosion or overturning from recent slash-and-burn activities.

    “Because land tillage near Beng Tapu is done manually, disturbances >50 cm depth are not expected but soil core C may have been exposed to soil erosion or overturning from recent slash-and-burn activities”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Fleskens & Jorritsma, 2010 source

  • Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it.

    Premisecitation

    Pre-historic occupation sites are more probable within 15 km of a river floodplain.

    “pre-historic occupation sites are more probable within 15 km of a river floodplain”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Bush et al., 2015 source

  • Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it.

    Premisecitation

    Modern studies have shown that logging has impacted forest succession for decades.

    “Modern studies have shown that logging has impacted forest succession for decades”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 3 sources checked
    • cites De Graaf et al., 1999 source
    • cites Dekker & De Graaf, 2003

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

    • cites Landburg et al., 2021 source

  • Probably not a substantial claim.

    Premisecitation

    Values below dashed lines on the openness index suggest forest opening.

    “values below dashed lines suggest forest opening(Witteveen et al., 2023).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Witteveen et al., 2023

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

  • It may state two separate claims as one.

    Interpretationown data

    Within 1 km of Beng Tapu, modern above-ground biomass estimates were the lowest (<200 Mg/ha), suggesting persistent ecological legacies have occurred from pre-contact and post-colonial fire and cultivation practices.

    “Within 1 km of the Beng Tapu archaeological site, modern above-ground biomass (AGB) estimates (Avitabile et al., 2016) were the lowest (<200 Mg/ha), suggesting persistent ecological legacies have occurred from pre-contact and post-colonial fire and cultivation practices”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Avitabile et al., 2016

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

  • It may state two separate claims as one.

    Premisecitation

    Maroons practice shifting cultivation and depend on hunting for their protein sources.

    “Maroons practice shifting cultivation and depend on hunting for their protein sources”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 3 sources checked
    • cites Fleskens & Jorritsma, 2010 source
    • cites Price, 1991 source
    • cites van Andel et al., 2016

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

  • Probably not a substantial claim.

    Interpretationreasoning

    The increases in Attalea and Oenocarpus (specific) phytoliths could be a direct enrichment due to culinary uses.

    “The increases in Attalea and Oenocarpus (specific) phytoliths could be a direct enrichment due to culinary uses.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
47 of 47

Self-check

Percentages, sums and reported differences re-computed from the paper’s own numbers.

Each contradiction between two passages listed here was confirmed by an independent check.

  • Palm abundances did not increase in every soil core

    Minor

    The discussion says palm abundances increased across all soil cores, but the results explicitly identify Pf2 as an exception where palm phytoliths did not increase.

1 of 1

Citations

Cites

Flagged first, then by citations

Research works printed but not linked: 12

  1. Boer J. G. W., 1965, The Indigenous Palms of Suriname
  2. Brown S., 1992, Aboveground Biomass Estimates for Tropical Moist Forests of the Brazilian Amazon, Interciencia. Caracas, 17, 8
  3. Clement C. R., 1988, Domestication of the Pejibaye Palm (Bactris Gasipaes): Past and Present, Advances in Economic Botany, 6, 155
  4. Funk V. A., 2007, Checklist of the Plants of the Guiana Shield (Venezuela: Amazonas, Bolivar, Delta Amacuro; Guyana, Surinam, French Guiana), 1
  5. Hijmans R. J., 2013, Raster Package in R
  6. Jagdew E. R., 2014, Vrede te midden van oorlog in Suriname: inheemsen, Europeanen, Marrons en vredesverdragen 1667–1863
  7. Lehmann J., 2007, Amazonian Dark Earths: Origin Properties Management
  8. Roosevelt A. C., 1999, Twelve Thousand Years of Human‐Environment Interaction in the Amazon Floodplain, Advances in Economic Botany, 13, 371
  9. SBB, 2017, Forest Cover Monitoring in Suriname Using Remote Sensing Techniques for the Period 2000–2015
  10. Andel T. R., 2014, Medicinale en rituele planten van Suriname
  11. Versteeg A., 2003, Suriname before Columbus
  12. Weinstein B., 1983, The Amazon Rubber Boom, 1850–1920

Cited by

Sorted by citations

Related

Metadata

Authors
Witteveen, N. H., White, C., Sánchez‐Martínez, B. A., Philip, A., Boyd, F., Booij, R., Christ, R., Singh, S., Gosling, W. D., Piperno, D. R., & McMichael, C. N. H.
Affiliations
  • University of Amsterdam (NL)
  • Anton de Kom University of Suriname (SR)
  • Smithsonian Institution (US)
Corresponding author
Witteveen, Nina H.
ORCID
Venue
Ecology
Publisher
Wiley
Published
2024-04-08
Volume
105
Issue
5
Pages
e4272-e4272
ISSN
  • 0012-9658 (ISSN-L)
  • 1939-9170
DOI
10.1002/ecy.4272
OpenAlex
W4394629555
Semantic Scholar
12d29ddf02d14ab46a61333c5dd186a5633b2997
Cited by
10
References
131
Citations by year
2026: 4 · 2025: 5 · 2024: 1
FWCI
49.52
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
Locations
  • Ecology (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc-nd)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Funders
  • WGF
  • European Research Council (ERC 2019 StG 853394)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Arts and Humanities › History › Amazonian Archaeology and Ethnohistory
  • Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Global and Planetary Change › Fire effects on ecosystems
  • Life Sciences › Agricultural and Biological Sciences › Soil Science › Soil and Environmental Studies
Keywords
ecological legacies, fire history, archaeological site, soil core, Attalea, Oenocarpus, Astrocaryum, vegetation change, Amazon rainforest, forest resilience, indigenous land rights, Suriname
MeSH terms
Archaeology, Conservation of Natural Resources, Fires, Suriname, Time Factors, Rainforest

About these checks

Registry, retraction, Cites and statistics results are computed, not judged, with one exception: a printed reference that no index lists is read once by a model before it counts as a citation error. Claims are extracted by a model and kept only when their quote appears verbatim in the text; each cited source is then checked, with a model’s help, for whether it says what the claim relies on. Those verdicts can be wrong — read the claim’s quote and the cited source before relying on one.

A language model drew the claims from the paper on 2026-11-10, under version 3 of the claim definition (model deepseek-v4.1-flash, prompt extract-v3).

A second model labelled each claim on 2026-11-10 (model jev-1.13-20260917, definition revision gold-guideline-v0.2).

Cited sources are checked with a language model’s help (gpt-6-sol).

Statistics and arithmetic are recomputed, not judged.

Confidence bands are shown only for fields calibrated on our annotated test set. None is calibrated yet, so no band is shown.

What counts as a claim ›How we measure confidence ›How we check this ›

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