New uses for ancient middens: Bridging ecological and evolutionary perspectives

Trends in Ecology and Evolution
By: , and 

Links

Abstract

Rodent middens provide a fine-scale spatiotemporal record of plant and animal communities over the late Quaternary. In the Americas, middens have offered insight into biotic responses to past environmental changes and historical factors influencing the distribution and diversity of species. However, few studies have used middens to investigate genetic or ecosystem level responses. Integrating midden studies with neoecology and experimental evolution can help address these gaps and test mechanisms underlying eco-evolutionary patterns across biological and spatiotemporal scales. Fully realizing the potential of middens to answer cross-cutting ecological and evolutionary questions and inform conservation goals in the Anthropocene will require a collaborative research community to exploit existing midden archives and mount new campaigns to leverage midden records globally.
Publication type Article
Publication Subtype Journal Article
Title New uses for ancient middens: Bridging ecological and evolutionary perspectives
Series title Trends in Ecology and Evolution
DOI 10.1016/j.tree.2023.12.003
Volume 39
Issue 5
Year Published 2024
Language English
Publisher Cell Press
Contributing office(s) Science and Decisions Center
Description 15 p.
First page 479
Last page 493
Google Analytic Metrics Metrics page
Additional publication details