Stratigraphic and Paleobotanical Evidence for Prehistoric Human-Induced Environmental Disturbance on Mo'orea, French Polynesia
Date
1996-07
Contributor
Advisor
Department
Instructor
Depositor
Speaker
Researcher
Consultant
Interviewer
Narrator
Transcriber
Annotator
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
University of Hawaii Press
Volume
Number/Issue
Starting Page
Ending Page
Alternative Title
Abstract
Humans played an important role in modifying the prehistoric
environments of most Pacific Islands. In this paper we reconstruct the role of
Polynesians in transforming the late Holocene landscape of the 'Opunohu Valley,
Mo'orea, Society Islands (French Polynesia). Stratigraphic, sedimentary,
chronometric, and paleobotanical evidence are used to reconstruct a sequence
of geomorphological and vegetation changes during the past 1500 yr. Our results
indicate substantial human inputs to landscape changes in the 'Opunohu
Valley during the late Holocene. Vegetation burning in the upper 'Opunohu
Valley, possibly for agricultural purposes, led to conversion of primary forests
into early successional forests and degraded fernlands. Erosion of slopes in the
upper valley led to massive deposition of sediments onto the valley floor, thus
transforming the valley bottom swamp into a relatively dry alluvial flat. These
results contribute substantially to an appreciation of the role played by the indigenous
Polynesian people in modifying the Society Islands ecosystems and
landscapes.
Description
Keywords
Citation
Lepofsky D, Kirch PV, Lertzman KP. 1996. Stratigraphic and paleobotanical evidence for prehistoric human-induced environmental disturbance on Mo'orea, French Polynesia. Pac Sci 50(3): 253-273.
Extent
Format
Geographic Location
Time Period
Related To
Related To (URI)
Table of Contents
Rights
Rights Holder
Local Contexts
Collections
Email libraryada-l@lists.hawaii.edu if you need this content in ADA-compliant format.