Restructuring of nutrient flows in island ecosystems following human colonization evidenced by isotopic analysis of commensal rats.

ABSTRACT: The role of humans in shaping local ecosystems is an increasing focus of archaeological research, yet researchers often lack an appropriate means of measuring past anthropogenic effects on local food webs and nutrient cycling. Stable isotope analysis of commensal animals provides an effective proxy for local human environments because these species are closely associated with human activities without being under direct human management. Such species are thus central to nutrient flows across a range of socionatural environments and can provide insight into how they intersected and transformed over time. Here we measure and compare stable carbon and nitrogen isotope data from Pacific rat (Rattus exulans) skeletal remains across three Polynesian island systems [Mangareva, Ua Huka (Marq

SUBMITTER: Swift JA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6016769 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature