Palaeontological evidence for defining the Anthropocene
Abstract
Palaeontology formed the basis for defining most of the geological eras, periods, epochs and ages that are commonly recognized. By the same token, the Anthropocene can be defined by diverse palaeontological criteria, in accordance with commonly accepted biostratigraphic practice. The most useful Anthropocene biostratigraphic zones will be assemblage and abundance zones based on mixes of native and non-native species in both the marine and terrestrial realms, although lineage zones based on evolution of crop plants may also have utility. Also useful are human-produced trace fossils, which have resulted in prominent biohorizons that can mark the onset of the Anthropocene, especially the paved road system, widespread through terrestrial regions, and microplastics, ubiquitous in near-shore and deep-water marine sediments. Most of these palaeontological criteria support placing the Holocene–Anthropocene boundary near 1950. Continuation of current extinction rates would produce an extinction biohorizon on the scale of the Big Five mass extinctions within a few centuries, but enhanced conservation measures could prevent making mass extinction an Anthropocene signature. A grand challenge for palaeontologists now is to define Anthropocene biostratigraphic zones rigorously, not only as a necessary precursor to formalizing the epoch, but also to more fully understand how humans have restructured the biosphere.
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Important biotic change has clearly taken place recently.
“but important biotic change has clearly taken place recently ( 88 ).”
From The Anthropocene is functionally and stratigraphically distinct from the Holocene (2016) · cites this paper as [88]
Anthropocene biotic changes on the scale of those that differentiate previous Cenozoic epochs, and which will leave a similarly lasting palaeontological signature, have become evident worldwide, and most of these date from the mid-twentieth century.
“Anthropocene biotic changes on the scale of those that differentiate the previous Cenozoic epochs, and which will leave a similarly lasting palaeontological signature, have also become evident worldwide, and most of these date from the mid-twentieth century (Barnosky, 2014).”
From When did the Anthropocene begin? A mid-twentieth century boundary level is stratigraphically optimal (2015) · cites this paper as Barnosky, 2014
Evolution/extinction rates are mostly too slow and diachronous to provide an obvious biological marker for the start of the Anthropocene.
“Evolution/extinction rates are mostly too slow and diachronous to provide an obvious biological marker for the start of the Anthropocene”
From The Anthropocene is functionally and stratigraphically distinct from the Holocene (2016) · cites this paper as [88]
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- Authors
- Barnosky, A. D.
- Affiliations
- University of California, Berkeley (US)
- Corresponding author
- Barnosky, Anthony D.
- ORCID
- Barnosky, Anthony D.
- Venue
- Geological Society, London, Special Publications
- Publisher
- Geological Society of London
- Published
- 2013-10-24
- Volume
- 395
- Issue
- 1
- Pages
- 149-165
- ISSN
- 0305-8719 (ISSN-L)
- 2041-4927
- OpenAlex
- W2156117663
- Cited by
- 72
- References
- 90
- Citations by year
- 2026: 3 · 2025: 2 · 2024: 2 · 2023: 10 · 2022: 5 · 2021: 4 · 2020: 8 · 2019: 3 · 2018: 8 · 2017: 8 · 2016: 4 · 2015: 7 · 2014: 6 · 2013: 2
- FWCI
- 4.31
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Geological Society London Special Publications (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Physical Sciences › Earth and Planetary Sciences › Paleontology › Paleontology and Stratigraphy of Fossils
- Physical Sciences › Earth and Planetary Sciences › Atmospheric Science › Geology and Paleoclimatology Research
- Physical Sciences › Earth and Planetary Sciences › Oceanography › Marine and environmental studies
- Keywords
- Anthropocene, biostratigraphy, biozonation, native vs exotic species, paved roads, microplastics, mass extinction, human impact on the biosphere, geological time scale
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