Human presence increases the heterogeneity and complexity of ecosystems, often enhancing biodiversity. This perspective is supported by a study led by Dr. Shumon T. Hussain and Dr. Chris Baumann, indicating that cultural diversity likely has a positive overall effect on ecosystem biodiversity. Contrary to the belief that human activities are solely detrimental, their research suggests that human interaction with ecosystems has always been complex, with both positive and negative effects on biodiversity. They emphasize that biodiversity loss in one area can be offset by gains in another due to human activity. Through archaeological case studies from the Late Pleistocene, the study also highlights how certain animals, like ravens, benefited from human-provided resources, demonstrating that human influence often promotes biodiversity. The research challenges the notion that human impact is always negative and suggests that the homogenization of human lifestyles is a key driver of biodiversity crises, underscoring the intricate relationship between humans and ecosystems.

Links

Press release University of Cologne:
https://portal.uni-koeln.de/en/universitaet/aktuell/press-releases/single-news/humans-can-increase-biodiversity

Publication

Hussain Shumon T. and Baumann Chris 2024
The human side of biodiversity: coevolution of the human niche, palaeo-synanthropy and ecosystem complexity in the deep human past.
Phil. Trans. R. Soc. B 37920230021
http://doi.org/10.1098/rstb.2023.0021