A new hypothesis for the origin of Amazonian Dark Earths

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dc.contributor.authorSilva, Lucas C. R.
dc.contributor.authorCorrêa, Rodrigo Studart
dc.contributor.authorWright, Jamie L.
dc.contributor.authorBonfirm, Barbara
dc.contributor.authorHendricks, Lauren
dc.contributor.authorGavin, Daniel G.
dc.contributor.authorMuniz, Aleksander W.
dc.contributor.authorMartins, Gilvan Coimbra
dc.contributor.authorMotta, Antônio Carlos Vargas
dc.contributor.authorBarbosa, Julierme Zimmer
dc.contributor.authorMelo, Vander de Freitas
dc.contributor.authorYoung, Scott D.
dc.contributor.authorBroadley, Martin R.
dc.contributor.authorSantos, Roberto V.
dc.date.accessioned2021-02-09T20:25:24Z
dc.date.available2021-02-09T20:25:24Z
dc.date.issued2021-01-04
dc.description11 pagesen_US
dc.description.abstractAmazonian Dark Earths (ADEs) are unusually fertile soils characterised by elevated concentrations of microscopic charcoal particles, which confer their distinctive colouration. Frequent occurrences of pre-Columbian artefacts at ADE sites led to their ubiquitous classification as Anthrosols (soils of anthropic origin). However, it remains unclear how indigenous peoples created areas of high fertility in one of the most nutrient-impoverished environments on Earth. Here, we report new data from a well-studied ADE site in the Brazilian Amazon, which compel us to reconsider its anthropic origin. The amounts of phosphorus and calcium—two of the least abundant macronutrients in the region—are orders of magnitude higher in ADE profiles than in the surrounding soil. The elevated levels of phosphorus and calcium, which are often interpreted as evidence of human activity at other sites, correlate spatially with trace elements that indicate exogenous mineral sources rather than in situ deposition. Stable isotope ratios of neodymium, strontium, and radiocarbon activity of microcharcoal particles also indicate exogenous inputs from alluvial deposition of carbon and mineral elements to ADE profiles, beginning several thousands of years before the earliest evidence of soil management for plant cultivation in the region. Our data suggest that indigenous peoples harnessed natural processes of landscape formation, which led to the unique properties of ADEs, but were not responsible for their genesis. If corroborated elsewhere, this hypothesis would transform our understanding of human influence in Amazonia, opening new frontiers for the sustainable use of tropical landscapes going forward.en_US
dc.identifier.citationSilva, L.C.R., Corrêa, R.S., Wright, J.L. et al. A new hypothesis for the origin of Amazonian Dark Earths. Nat Commun 12, 127 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-020-20184-2en_US
dc.identifier.doihttps://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-020-20184-2
dc.identifier.urihttps://hdl.handle.net/1794/26004
dc.identifier.urihttps://hdl.handle.net/1794/25844
dc.identifier.urihttps://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-020-20184-2en_US
dc.language.isoenen_US
dc.publisherNature Researchen_US
dc.relation.isbasedonhttps://hdl.handle.net/1794/25844
dc.rightsCreative Commons BYen_US
dc.subjectEcologyen_US
dc.subjectElement cyclesen_US
dc.subjectAmazonian Dark Earths (ADEs)en_US
dc.titleA new hypothesis for the origin of Amazonian Dark Earthsen_US
dc.typeArticleen_US

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