Spengler, Robert N., III
2014. Niche Dwelling vs. Niche Construction: Landscape Modification in the Bronze
and Iron Ages of Central Asia. Human Ecology 42, (6): 813-821. Peer-reviewed.

Abstract

Like all humans, mobile pastoralists alter their ecological niche to their advantage; however, archaeological discussions of mobile pastoralists in Central Asia often focus on environmental factors as a sole driving force in decision making. In reality, anthropogenic modification of the landscape are evident as far back at the Bronze Age. Herders altered the overall ecology of the region by converting forest into pasturelands Continue reading →