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Cited by 21Silicon Effects in AgricultureAmazonian Archaeology and EthnohistorySoil and Environmental Studies

The DOI matches its Crossref record; 88 of the 88 references it cites were found in a registry or an index; none of the 89 sources its claims cite is checked for support yet.

Phytolith assemblages reflect variability in human land use and the modern environment

Open access
Witteveen, Nina H., White, Cheryl, Sanchez Martinez, Barbara A., Booij, Roemer, Philip, Annemarie, Gosling, William D., Bush, Mark B., McMichael, Crystal N. H.·2024·Vegetation History and Archaeobotany
DOI 10.1007/s00334-023-00932-2PMC PMC10884070
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Abstract

Phytoliths preserved in soils and sediments can be used to provide unique insights into past vegetation dynamics in response to human and climate change. Phytoliths can reconstruct local vegetation in terrestrial soils where pollen grains typically decay, providing a range of markers (or lack thereof) that document past human activities. The ca. 6 million km2 of Amazonian forests have relatively few baseline datasets documenting changes in phytolith representation across gradients of human disturbances. Here we show that phytolith assemblages vary on local scales across a gradient of (modern) human disturbance in tropical rainforests of Suriname. Detrended correspondence analysis showed that the phytolith assemblages found in managed landscapes (shifting cultivation and a garden), unmanaged forests, and abandoned reforesting sites were clearly distinguishable from intact forests and from each other. Our results highlight the sensitivity and potential of phytoliths to be used in reconstructing successional trajectories after site usage and abandonment. Percentages of specific phytolith morphotypes were also positively correlated with local palm abundances derived from UAV data, and with biomass estimated from MODIS satellite imagery. This baseline dataset provides an index of likely changes that can be observed at other sites that indicate past human activities and long-term forest recovery in Amazonia.

Overview

AI snapshot

Written from the paper’s full text.

TL;DR

Phytolith assemblages from 17 soil surface samples in Suriname rainforests distinguish managed, unmanaged, abandoned, archaeological, and palm-dominated sites, supporting phytoliths as a local proxy for past human land use and succession. Specific palm and arboreal phytolith percentages correlate with UAV-derived *Euterpe*/palm abundances and biomass estimates, respectively.

Key findings

  • DCA separated currently managed from unmanaged sites on DCA1 (eigenvalue = 0.296; 29.6% variance) and cultivation sites from the garden on DCA2 (eigenvalue = 0.199; 19.9% variance). Forest sites had >71% arboreal phytoliths and <2% grass/herb phytoliths, while cultivation and garden samples had higher grass, Zingiberales, and burned phytoliths.
  • The openness index differentiated unmanaged forested sites (37–269), previously managed A/BT sites, and currently managed cultivation sites (0–6.25); it could not be calculated for the garden because grass silica short cell phytoliths were absent.
  • SPH_ECH phytolith percentages were positively and significantly correlated with *E. oleracea* crowns at the 100 m buffer; an increase from 31 to 102 *E. oleracea* crowns corresponded with a 50% increase in SPH_ECH phytoliths. Without site Pf2, this correlation was not significant, but total palm phytoliths and total palm crowns were positively correlated at 100 m, with 0 to 31 total palm crowns corresponding to a 10–15% increase in total palm phytoliths.
  • Arboreal phytolith abundance was positively correlated with biomass estimates (R = 0.62, p = 8.2e-05); forested sites had >275 Mg ha⁻¹ and >50% arboreal phytoliths, whereas savanna sites had <110 Mg ha⁻¹ and <36% arboreal phytoliths.

Methods

  • Collected 17 soil surface samples from Botopasi, Suriname: garden (G1), cultivation sites (C1–3), abandoned fields (A1–2), forested sites (F1–8), palm-dominated forested sites (Pf1–2), and an archaeological site (BT1–2), plus a leaf litter sample (C1) and herbarium reference material from 26 species.
  • Processed soil and modern reference samples with H₂O₂, HCl, KMnO₄, and bromoform separation; counted soil samples to a minimum of 200 arboreal and 400 total phytoliths, and modern reference samples to 300 phytoliths where possible.
  • Used detrended correspondence analysis on 31 phytolith groups, and Pearson or Spearman correlations with UAV-derived palm crowns at 20 m, 50 m, 100 m, and >100 m buffers and with biomass values from a raster dataset; UAV imagery was captured at 100 m altitude, yielding 45 images covering about 37 ha.

Limitations

  • Stated: vegetation surveys were not available on the plots; UAV flight prohibitions near an airstrip limited imagery to forested sites >5 km away; only Pf2 had abundant palms, making palm–phytolith relationships difficult to generalize; biomass values came from a 1 km-resolution dataset; the sand fraction was not concentrated or studied; overlapping palm morphotypes prevent distinguishing some genera; palm phytoliths may occur in soils without local palms.
  • Stated: the garden lacked grass phytoliths, possibly due to fertilization or weed removal, and *Cymbopogon citratus* morphotypes were not found despite being the only garden plant that produced phytoliths.
  • Evident: the small number of soil samples (17) and single garden and archaeological site limit statistical power and generality, and the palm correlations rely on few sites with high palm abundance.

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

Integrity signals

Registry

Crossref · 10.1007/s00334-023-00932-2

Cites

88 of 88 references verified0 citation errors · 0 not checkable

Statistics

Nothing to recompute.

Verification

Claims the paper makes

0 of 89 cited sources checked · 0 supported · 0 flagged

  • Findingown data

    All reference material from the identified palms and Zingiberales that grow at the sampling sites produced phytoliths.

    “All reference material from the identified palms and Zingiberales that grow at the sampling sites produced phytoliths”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
  • Findingcitation

    The abundance of arboreal phytoliths across Amazonia was significantly and positively correlated with biomass estimates (R = 0.62, p = 8.2e-05).

    “The abundance of arboreal phytoliths across Amazonia was significantly and positively correlated with biomass estimates (R = 0.62, p = 8.2e-05)”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 3 sources checked
    • cites McMichael et al. 2012b source
    • cites Dickau et al. 2013 source
    • cites Avitabile et al. 2016 source
  • Findingown data

    The second DCA axis (DCA2; Eigenvalue = 0.199) separates the cultivation sites from the garden, with the forested sites in between.

    “The second DCA axis (DCA2; Eigenvalue = 0.199) separates the cultivation sites from the garden, with the forested sites in between.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
  • Findingown data

    Managed landscapes are clearly distinguishable from unmanaged ones based on phytolith assemblages.

    “Our data and analyses show that phytolith assemblages also vary among land use types on local scales within tropical rainforests, and that managed landscapes are clearly distinguishable from unmanaged ones (Figs. 3, 4, 5).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
    • Rests on an assumption: The modern land use types sampled are representative of the range of human disturbance in Amazonian rainforests.
  • Findingown data

    The DCA results show the largest difference in phytolith assemblages between currently managed versus unmanaged sites (DCA1; Eigenvalue = 0.296).

    “The DCA results show the largest difference in phytolith assemblages between currently managed versus unmanaged sites (DCA1; Eigenvalue = 0.296; Fig. 5).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • It may state two separate claims as one. 33
  • Probably not a substantial claim. 17

  • It may state two separate claims as one.

    Findingown data

    The garden and cultivation samples were collected in areas that were being actively managed, and their phytolith assemblages were clearly distinguishable from unmanaged sites.

    “The garden and cultivation samples were collected in areas that were being actively managed, and their phytolith assemblages were clearly distinguishable from unmanaged sites”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • It may state two separate claims as one.

    Findingown data

    Palm-dominated forested sites were not separated from managed sites in the DCA but were differentiated from the other forested sites.

    “Palm-dominated forested sites were not separated from managed sites in the DCA but were differentiated from the other forested sites (Fig. 5).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • It may state two separate claims as one.

    Findingown data

    Forest (F) sites contain higher abundances of arboreal phytoliths (>71%) and lower abundances of grass and herb phytoliths (<2%) and spheroid palms (<10%) than C, G, A and BT sites.

    “Forest (F) sites contain higher abundances of arboreal phytoliths (> 71%) and lower abundances of grass and herb phytoliths (< 2%) and spheroid palms (< 10%) than C, G, A and BT sites.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • It may state two separate claims as one.

    Findingown data

    The differences between managed and unmanaged sites resulted mainly from higher abundances of Psilate spheroid and burnt phytoliths in the garden and higher abundances of Zingiberales and Poaceae phytoliths at the cultivation sites, whereas unmanaged sites contained high abundances of arboreal spheroids.

    “The differences between managed and unmanaged sites resulted mainly from higher abundances of Psilate spheroid and burnt phytoliths in the garden and higher abundances of Zingiberales and Poaceae phytoliths at the cultivation sites (whereas unmanaged sites contained high abundances of arboreal spheroids)”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • It may state two separate claims as one.

    Findingown data

    DCA showed that phytolith assemblages from managed landscapes (shifting cultivation and a garden), unmanaged forests, and abandoned reforesting sites were clearly distinguishable from intact forests and from each other.

    “Detrended correspondence analysis showed that the phytolith assemblages found in managed landscapes (shifting cultivation and a garden), unmanaged forests, and abandoned reforesting sites were clearly distinguishable from intact forests and from each other.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • It may state two separate claims as one.

    Findingown data

    The other forested sites (evergreen, semi-deciduous, or liana) reflect intermediate values of biomass (between 180 and 200 Mg ha−1) and intermediate percentages of arboreal phytoliths (36-76%).

    “The other forested sites (evergreen, semi-deciduous, or liana) reflect intermediate values of biomass (between 180 and 200 Mg ha−1) and intermediate percentages of arboreal phytoliths (36–76%).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • It may state two separate claims as one.

    Findingown data

    Most forested sites have high biomass values >275 Mg ha−1 and >50% arboreal phytoliths, whereas most savanna sites have low biomass <110 Mg ha−1 and <36% arboreal phytoliths.

    “Most forested sites have high biomass values > 275 Mg ha−1 and > 50% arboreal phytoliths, whereas most savanna sites have low biomass < 110 Mg ha−1 and < 36% arboreal phytoliths.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • It may state two separate claims as one.

    Findingown data

    A total of eight arboreal morphotypes, ten palms, five Zingiberales, and nine grass phytolith morphotypes were found in modern reference material, along with silica from nondiagnostic plant tissue.

    “A total of eight arboreal morphotypes, ten palms, five Zingiberales, and nine grass phytolith morphotypes were found, along with silica from nondiagnostic plant tissue”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • It may state two separate claims as one.

    Findingown data

    SPH_ECH phytolith percentages were positively and significantly correlated with the number of E. oleracea crowns for the buffer size of 100 m, but not for 20 m, 50 m and >100 m.

    “Pearson or Spearman correlation tests indicated that SPH_ECH phytolith percentages were positively and significantly correlated with the number of E. oleracea crowns for the buffer size of 100 m, but not for 20 m, 50 m and > 100 m”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • It may state two separate claims as one.

    Findingown data

    Most sites did not contain canopy palms within 20 and 50 m buffer areas, and only Pf2 had high palm abundances.

    “Most sites did not contain canopy palms within 20 and 50 m buffer areas (Fig. 6D), and only Pf2 had high palm abundances, making it difficult to predict patterns.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • It may state two separate claims as one.

    Findingcitation

    The forested sites in Suriname have lower arboreal phytoliths than the forest plots of Peru, but higher estimated biomass values.

    “The forested sites in Suriname have lower arboreal phytoliths than the forest plots of Peru (McMichael et al. 2012b; Piperno et al. 2021), but higher estimated biomass values.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 2 sources checked
    • cites McMichael et al. 2012b source
    • cites Piperno et al. 2021 source

  • It may state two separate claims as one.

    Findingown data

    In the managed sites, there was a relatively high abundance of burned phytoliths and druses, which can be useful to distinguish land use types.

    “In the managed sites, there was a relatively high abundance of burned phytoliths and druses, which can be useful to distinguish land use types (Fig. 3).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • It may state two separate claims as one.

    Findingown data

    Although A1 was dominated by Heliconia spp. (Palulu), T1 trough morphotypes were rare and the assemblage instead reflected past land use.

    “Although A1 was dominated by Heliconia spp. (Palulu), T1 trough morphotypes were rare and the assemblage instead reflected past land use (Fig. 4).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • It may state two separate claims as one.

    Findingown data

    There was a significant positive relationship with total palm count and total palm phytoliths (within 100 m) and total palm count and conical palm phytoliths (within 50 m).

    “Instead, there was a significant positive relationship with total palm count and total palm phytoliths (within 100 m) and total palm count and conical palm phytoliths (within 50 m).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • It may state two separate claims as one.

    Findingown data

    DCA detected the differences in modern vegetation of A1-2 and BT1-2 as more forested sites A2 and BT1 are closer to other forested sites.

    “Despite shared past disturbance, DCA detected the differences in modern vegetation of A1-2 and BT1-2 as more forested sites A2 and BT1 are closer to other forested sites (ESM 1 Table 1, Fig. 5).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • It may state two separate claims as one.

    Findingown data

    This study provided the building blocks needed to begin quantifying past vegetation using phytoliths, shown by significant correlations between components of the phytolith assemblages with the modern abundances of Euterpe (Podosiri) obtained from UAV imagery and with estimates of aboveground biomass obtained from satellite imagery.

    “Finally, this study also provided the building blocks needed to begin quantifying past vegetation using phytoliths, shown by significant correlations between components of the phytolith assemblages with the modern abundances of Euterpe (Podosiri) obtained from UAV imagery and with estimates of aboveground biomass obtained from satellite imagery.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • It may state two separate claims as one.

    Study design and conductreasoning

    These BT and A sites were previously managed, while the other forested F and Pf sites were unmanaged (in living memory), and the garden and cultivation sites were managed.

    “These BT and A sites were previously managed, while the other forested F and Pf sites were unmanaged (in living memory), and the garden and cultivation sites were managed.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • It may state two separate claims as one.

    Premisecitation

    Amazonian soil studies reconstructed as forested have rare Poaceae (except Bambusoideae), as do associated modern surface phytolith assemblages from censused vegetation.

    “What has been reconstructed as forested in Amazonian soil studies from other regions analyzed also have rare Poaceae (except Bambusoideae), as do associated modern surface phytolith assemblages from censused vegetation (McMichael et al. 2012b; Piperno et al. 2021).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 2 sources checked
    • cites McMichael et al. 2012b source
    • cites Piperno et al. 2021 source

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

    Premisecitation

    The modern abundance of palms such as Euterpe in the Brazilian Amazon may be due to past palm enrichment.

    “For example, the modern abundance of palms such as Euterpe in the Brazilian Amazon may be due to past palm enrichment (Smith 2015).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Smith 2015 source

  • It may state two separate claims as one.

    Premisecitation

    The small number of palaeoecological studies in Suriname are near the coast; phytolith analysis has not been conducted.

    “The small number of palaeoecological studies in Suriname are near the coast; phytolith analysis has not been conducted”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 2 sources checked
    • cites Laeyendecker-Roosenburg 1966

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

    • cites Wijmstra 1969

      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

    Phytolith assemblages vary among major forest types in Neotropical humid and dry forests and savannas.

    “Phytolith assemblages are known to vary among major forest types in Neotropical humid and dry forests and savannas (Dickau et al. 2013; Testé et al. 2020; Watling et al. 2020; Crifò and Strömberg 2021).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 3 sources checked
    • cites Dickau et al. 2013 source
    • cites Testé et al. 2020 source
    • cites Watling et al. 2020 source

  • It may state two separate claims as one.

    Premisecitation

    Palms are prolific phytolith producers with morphologies specific to subtribe or often genus, and can thus be used to detect palm enrichment or depletion.

    “Palms are prolific phytolith producers with morphologies specific to subtribe or often genus (Witteveen et al. 2022), and can thus be used to detect palm enrichment or depletion.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Witteveen et al. 2022 source

  • It may state two separate claims as one.

    Premisecitation

    Phytoliths are deposited into terrestrial soils beneath parental plants and are believed to provide a local vegetation signal.

    “Phytoliths are deposited into terrestrial soils beneath parental plants and are believed to provide a local vegetation signal”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 2 sources checked
    • cites Piperno 1988 source
    • cites Crifò and Strömberg 2020 source

  • Probably not a substantial claim.

    Premisenone given

    Past human activities and their impact on the vegetation (i.e. ecological legacies) in Suriname remain relatively understudied.

    “Past human activities and their impact on the vegetation (i.e. ecological legacies), however, remain relatively understudied.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

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

    Premisecitation

    Euterpe can dominate the phytolith assemblage in flooded forests.

    “Previous studies have shown that Euterpe can dominate the phytolith assemblage in flooded forests (Dickau et al. 2013), but ordination did not separate palm forests (mostly Attalea sp.) from other forests in Brazil (Watling et al. 2020).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Dickau et al. 2013 source

  • It may state two separate claims as one.

    Premisenone given

    Several metrics have been derived to distinguish forest types in tropical systems, including the ratio of tree to grass phytoliths (D/P index, openness index), but these metrics have not been used to differentiate phytolith assemblages across various types of land use.

    “Several metrics have been derived to distinguish forest types in tropical systems, including the ratio of tree to grass phytoliths (D/P index, hereafter openness index) (Alexandre et al. 1997; Strömberg 2004; Dickau et al. 2013; Astudillo 2018; Testé et al. 2020; Crifò and Strömberg 2021), but these metrics have not been used to differentiate phytolith assemblages across various types of land use.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 3 sources checked
    • cites Alexandre et al. 1997 source
    • cites Strömberg 2004 source
    • cites Dickau et al. 2013 source

  • It may state two separate claims as one.

    Premisecitation

    Phytoliths are non-organic silica microfossils formed inside many plants that can be preserved on geological timescales, even in settings where organic matter (including pollen) is not preserved.

    “Phytoliths are non-organic silica microfossils formed inside many plants that can be preserved on geological timescales, even in settings where organic matter (including pollen) is not preserved”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 2 sources checked
    • cites Piperno 2006 source
    • cites Strömberg et al. 2007 source

  • It may state two separate claims as one.

    Premisecitation

    In the Surinamese rainforests, SPH_ECH phytoliths are produced by Euterpe, Oenocarpus, Attalea, Hyospathe elegans and Cocos nucifera and Conicals are produced by Astrocaryum, Bactris and Socratea exorrhiza palms.

    “In the Surinamese rainforests, SPH_ECH phytoliths are produced by Euterpe, Oenocarpus, Attalea, Hyospathe elegans and Cocos nucifera and Conicals are produced by Astrocaryum, Bactris and Socratea exorrhiza palms”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 2 sources checked
    • cites Henderson et al. 2019 source
    • cites Witteveen et al. 2022 source

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

    Interpretationcitation

    Peaked glumes are rare, likely explaining their absence in reference material for Oryza glaberrima.

    “Peaked glumes were not found in reference material for Oryza glaberrima, likely because this morphotype is rare (Radomski and Neumann 2011).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Radomski and Neumann 2011

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

  • It may state two separate claims as one.

    Premisecitation

    With phytolith assemblages, palms, understory herbs and grasses tend to be overrepresented, whereas several woody taxa produce non-diagnostic or no phytoliths.

    “With phytolith assemblages, palms, understory herbs and grasses tend to be overrepresented, whereas several woody taxa produce non-diagnostic or no phytoliths”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 3 sources checked
    • cites Piperno 2006 source
    • cites Collura and Neumann 2017 source
    • cites Piperno and McMichael 2020 source

  • It may state two separate claims as one.

    Premisecitation

    Phytoliths are a suitable proxy for detecting human disturbances in tropical forests, because taxa associated with human land use, such as Poaceae, Arecaceae, and Heliconiaceae, are abundant phytolith producers.

    “Phytoliths are a suitable proxy for detecting human disturbances in tropical forests, because taxa associated with human land use, such as Poaceae, Arecaceae, and Heliconiaceae, are abundant phytolith producers”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 3 sources checked
    • cites Piperno and Becker 1996 source
    • cites Iriarte 2003 source
    • cites Piperno 2006 source

  • Probably not a substantial claim.

    Premisecitation

    Maize (Zea mays) is indicated by Cross 1 phytoliths >21 μm and Wavy-top rondels.

    “Maize (Zea mays) was indicated by Cross 1 phytoliths > 21 μm and Wavy-top rondels”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 3 sources checked
    • cites Iriarte 2003 source
    • cites Piperno 2006 source
    • cites Lombardo et al. 2020 source

  • Probably not a substantial claim. The paper may give no reason why it holds.

    Premisenone given

    In Suriname and many other areas of Amazonia, (long-term) vegetation monitoring is lacking because ground-based surveys are expensive, time-consuming, and labor intensive.

    “In Suriname and many other areas of Amazonia, (long-term) vegetation monitoring is lacking because ground-based surveys are expensive, time-consuming, and labor intensive.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

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

    Premisecitation

    A similar mixture of arboreal and grass phytoliths were found on abandoned fields in the Galapagos.

    “Although these systems are not directly comparable, a similar mixture of arboreal and grass phytoliths were found on abandoned fields in the Galapagos (Astudillo 2018).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Astudillo 2018 source

  • It may state two separate claims as one.

    Interpretationcitation

    The discrepancy between arboreal phytoliths and biomass estimates may be explained by the coarse-resolution dataset, exclusion of arboreal phytoliths from the sand fraction, and the abundance of palms.

    “This discrepancy between arboreal phytoliths and biomass estimates may be explained by (1) the coarse-resolution dataset, (2) arboreal phytoliths from the sand fraction were not included here, which could have been higher in Peru and (3) the abundance of palms, as palms were not included in the biomass estimates but are common in western Amazonia (Muscarella et al. 2020).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Muscarella et al. 2020 source

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

    Premisenone given

    Unpiloted aerial vehicles can capture high-resolution data on vegetation composition and structure, making them an attractive tool for aerial surveys.

    “Unpiloted aerial vehicles can capture high-resolution data on vegetation composition and structure, making them an attractive tool for aerial surveys.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim. It may be too vague to check against evidence. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it. It may state two separate claims as one.

    Premisecitation

    As Amazonia is an important carbon sink, improved models are crucial to mitigate climate change.

    “As Amazonia is an important carbon sink, improved models are crucial to mitigate climate change (Brienen et al. 2015; Hubau et al. 2020).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 2 sources checked
    • cites Brienen et al. 2015 source
    • cites Hubau et al. 2020 source

  • Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it. The paper may give no reason why it holds.

    Interpretationnone given

    Another explanation for the lack of grass phytoliths in the garden can be weed removal.

    “Another explanation for the lack of grass phytoliths in the garden can be weed removal.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim. It may be too vague to check against evidence.

    Interpretationreasoning

    Especially for a local proxy like phytoliths, high-resolution data are important for accurate calibrations.

    “Especially for a local proxy like phytoliths, high-resolution data are important for accurate calibrations.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim. It may be too vague to check against evidence.

    Interpretationcitation

    Quantifying past vegetation changes would help to gain insight into the ecological legacies of past human activities in Amazonia.

    “Additionally, quantifying past vegetation changes would help to gain insight into the ecological legacies of past human activities in Amazonia (Levis et al. 2017; Piperno et al. 2019; McMichael 2021).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 3 sources checked
    • cites Levis et al. 2017 source
    • cites Piperno et al. 2019 source
    • cites McMichael 2021 source

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

    Premisecitation

    Musaceae phytoliths have been found in palaeoecological reconstructions in other Neotropical settings (e.g. Ecuador and the Dominican Republic).

    “Musaceae phytoliths have been found in palaeoecological reconstructions in other Neotropical settings (e.g. Ecuador and the Dominican Republic) (Astudillo 2018; Castilla-Beltrán et al. 2020).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 2 sources checked
    • cites Astudillo 2018 source
    • cites Castilla-Beltrán 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.

    Interpretationown data

    The understory palms are not visible on UAV images but likely contributed to the phytolith assemblages as the forests without canopy palms consisted of up to 15% total palm phytoliths.

    “The understory palms are not visible on UAV images but likely contributed to the phytolith assemblages as the forests without canopy palms consisted of up to 15% total palm phytoliths (Fig. 6).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • It may state two separate claims as one.

    Premisecitation

    Musaceae are an Old-World cultivar and are not natively found in the Neotropics.

    “Musaceae are an Old-World cultivar and are not natively found in the Neotropics (Daniells et al. 2001; Häkkinen and Sharrock 2002; Carney and Rosomoff 2011).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 3 sources checked
    • cites Daniells et al. 2001

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

    • cites Häkkinen and Sharrock 2002

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

    • cites Carney and Rosomoff 2011

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

  • Probably not a substantial claim. It may be too vague to check against evidence.

    Interpretationreasoning

    We highlight the potential of using our calibration dataset as a foundation for quantifying past human activities and long-term forest recovery in Amazonia.

    “We highlight the potential of using our calibration dataset as a foundation for quantifying past human activities and long-term forest recovery in Amazonia.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

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

    Interpretationreasoning

    This unique combination of phytoliths likely also represents farming practices in other areas of Amazonian rainforests.

    “This unique combination of phytoliths likely also represents farming practices in other areas of Amazonian rainforests, though this hypothesis needs further testing.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • It may state two separate claims as one.

    Premisecitation

    Similar burnt clumps of palms and unknown phytoliths occur at BT2 and have been found in archaeological sites in Amazonia and the Caribbean.

    “Similar burnt clumps of palms and unknown phytoliths occur at BT2 and have been found in archaeological sites in Amazonia and the Caribbean (Watling et al. 2015; Pagán-Jiménez et al. 2020; Elliott et al. 2023).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 3 sources checked
    • cites Watling et al. 2015 source
    • cites Pagán-Jiménez et al. 2020

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

    • cites Elliott et al. 2023

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

  • Probably not a substantial claim. It may be too vague to check against evidence.

    Interpretationreasoning

    These results highlight the need for accurate, high-resolution environmental and vegetation data for calibration studies.

    “These results highlight the need for accurate, high-resolution environmental and vegetation data for calibration studies.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
47 of 47

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    The modern land-use types sampled (cultivation, garden, abandoned fields, forests) are analogues for past human land-use types in Amazonia.

    “Our calibration dataset will be a valuable tool in generating models that quantify past land use and the subsequent successional trajectories”

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    The modern environment and human land use in Suriname are representative of other Amazonian sites.

    “This baseline dataset provides an index of likely changes that can be observed at other sites that indicate past human activities and long-term forest recovery in Amazonia.”

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    The modern land use types sampled are representative of the range of human disturbance in Amazonian rainforests.

    “Our data and analyses show that phytolith assemblages also vary among land use types on local scales within tropical rainforests, and that managed landscapes are clearly distinguishable from unmanaged ones (Figs. 3, 4, 5).”

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    The aboveground biomass values from Avitabile et al. (2016) accurately represent the biomass at the sampling sites.

    “The positive correlation of arboreal phytoliths in percentages and aboveground biomass (AGB) in Mg ha−1 (Avitabile et al. 2016).”

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    The UAV imagery accurately reflects E. oleracea crown abundance and palm counts at the sampling sites.

    “The high abundance of E. oleracea crowns at Pf2 and low abundances at F sites was accurately reflected by the abundance of SPH_ECH phytoliths within 100 m.”
5 of 5

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.

  • Euterpe identifications are assigned to different sites

    Minor

    One passage says Euterpe was identified only at Pf1, while another says local guides identified E. oleracea, a Euterpe species, only near Pf2 and F6.

  • Biomass result cites the palm-correlation figure

    Minor

    The discussion points to Fig. 6 for a biomass comparison, but the Fig. 6 caption describes palm-crown correlations; Fig. 7 is the biomass figure.

  • F3 and F6 are listed as both unphotographed and photographed

    Minor

    The methods say UAV imagery could not be captured around F3 and F6, then list both sites among those where imagery was captured.

3 of 3

Citations

Cites

Flagged first, then by citations

Research works printed but not linked: 9

  1. Daniells J, Jenny C, Karamura D, Tomekpe K (eds) (2001) Musalogue: a catalogue of Musa germplasm: diversity in the genus Musa. Bioversity International, Rome
  2. Häkkinen M, Sharrock S (2002) Diversity in the genus Musa—focus on Rhodochlamys. networking banana and plantain: INIBAP Annual Report 2001. INIBAP, Montpellier, pp 16–23
  3. Jonkers WBJ (1987) Vegetation structure, logging damage and silviculture in a tropical rain forest in Suriname. Dissertation, University Wageningen, Wageningen
  4. Laeyendecker-Roosenburg DM (1966) A palynological investigation of some archaeologically interesting sections in northwestern Surinam. Leidse Geol Meded 38:31–36
  5. Price R (2008) Review of ‘Thompson AO (2006) Flight to Freedom: African Runaways and Maroons in the Americas.’ Nieuwe West-Indische Gids 82:291–293
  6. Roosevelt AC (1999) Twelve thousand years of human-environment interaction in the Amazon floodplain. Adv Econ Bot 13:371–392
  7. Van Andel T, Ruysschaert S (2014) Medicinale en rituele planten van Suriname. KIT Publishers, Amsterdam
  8. Wijmstra TA (1969) Palynology of the Alliance well. Geol Mijnbouw 48:125–133
  9. Yost CL (2018) The Calathea allouia (Marantaceae) and Commelinaceae conundrum: the search for diagnostic phytoliths. 8th International Meeting on Phytolith Research. Estes Park, Colorado 60:300–310

Cited by

Sorted by citations

Related

Metadata

Authors
Witteveen, N. H., White, C., Sanchez Martinez, B. A., Booij, R., Philip, A., Gosling, W. D., Bush, M. B., & McMichael, C. N. H.
Affiliations
  • University of Amsterdam (NL)
  • Anton de Kom University of Suriname (SR)
  • Florida Institute of Technology (US)
Corresponding author
Witteveen, Nina H.
ORCID
Venue
Vegetation History and Archaeobotany
Publisher
Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Published
2023-06-27
Volume
33
Issue
2
Pages
221-236
ISSN
  • 0939-6314 (ISSN-L)
  • 1617-6278
DOI
10.1007/s00334-023-00932-2
PMC
PMC10884070
OpenAlex
W4382463487
Cited by
20
References
85
Citations by year
2026: 5 · 2025: 6 · 2024: 8 · 2023: 1
FWCI
2.94
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
Locations
  • Vegetation History and Archaeobotany (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • UvA-DARE (University of Amsterdam) (submittedVersion, cc-by)
Funders
  • European Research Council (ERC 2019 StG 853394)
  • Wenner-Gren Foundation
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Agricultural and Biological Sciences › Plant Science › Silicon Effects in Agriculture
  • Social Sciences › Arts and Humanities › History › Amazonian Archaeology and Ethnohistory
  • Life Sciences › Agricultural and Biological Sciences › Soil Science › Soil and Environmental Studies
Keywords
phytolith assemblages, anthropogenic land use, shifting cultivation, forest abandonment, forest recovery, vegetation dynamics, phytolith morphotypes, forest biomass, Suriname, paleoecology

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).

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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