| 1. |
- Bring, Arvid, et al.
(författare)
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Effects on groundwater storage of restoring, constructing or draining wetlands in temperate and boreal climates: a systematic review
- 2022
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Ingår i: Environmental Evidence. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 2047-2382. ; 11:1
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Forskningsöversikt (refereegranskat)abstract
- Drainage activities have caused widespread wetland loss, groundwater drawdown and impairment of ecosystem services. There are now several national programs for wetland restoration, primarily focused on reintroducing ecosystem services such as habitats and nutrient retention. In Sweden, recent dry summers have also reinforced interest in hydrological functions such as the potential for enhanced groundwater storage, both in and around the wetland. However, there are several knowledge gaps regarding groundwater storage effects of restoration, including if they extend beyond the wetland and how they vary with local conditions. Therefore, we have systematically reviewed groundwater storage effects from the interventions of restoring, constructing or draining boreo-temperate wetlands. Drainage was included primarily to evaluate to what degree restoration can reverse drainage effects. Methods: We searched 8 databases for scientific journal publications in English, Swedish, Norwegian, Danish, French, German and Polish. Gray literature was searched in English and Swedish. Articles were included based on their relevance for Swedish conditions, i.e., in previously glaciated areas with boreal or temperate climate. Extracted outcome data were groundwater level changes, along with other variables including type of wetland and intervention and, when reported, distance between sampling point and intervention. Meta-analyses were conducted separately for studies that reported groundwater levels at different distances and studies that reported overall effects. Included studies were subject to critical appraisal to evaluate their susceptibility to bias, primarily selection bias, performance bias, and detection bias. Critical appraisal results were used in sensitivity analysis. Review findings: Out of 11,288 screened records, 224 articles fulfilled the criteria, and from these, 146 studies were included in meta-analysis. Most studies (89%) investigated peatlands, primarily from Finland, the UK and Canada. Restoration and drainage studies were equally common. Only nine studies reported measurements beyond the wetland area. Our synthesis is therefore primarily focused on effects within wetlands. In peatland restoration, the observed groundwater level rise decreased exponentially with distance from the restored ditch and was reduced to 50% after 9 [95% confidence interval: 5, 26] m. Drainage reached somewhat farther, with 50% of the groundwater drawdown remaining at 21 [11, 64] m. On average, restoration increased groundwater levels by 22 [16, 28] cm near the intervention, whereas drainage caused a drawdown of 19 [10, 27] cm. Assuming that sampling was unbiased, effects were similar for bogs, fens and mires. Restricting the meta-analysis to the 58% of studies that were of high validity did not alter conclusions. Conclusions: Effects of peatland restoration and drainage were of similar magnitudes but opposite directions. This indicates that, on average, rewetting of drained peatlands can be expected to restore groundwater levels near the ditch. However, restoration may not reach all the area affected by drainage, and there was a strong dependence on local context. For managers of wetland projects, it is thus important to follow up and monitor restoration effects and reinforce the intervention if necessary. Our results also point to a need for better impact evaluation if increased storage beyond the restored wetland area is desired.
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| 2. |
- Bring, Arvid, et al.
(författare)
-
Groundwater storage effects from restoring, constructing or draining wetlands in temperate and boreal climates: a systematic review protocol
- 2020
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Ingår i: Environmental Evidence. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 2047-2382. ; 9:1
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Forskningsöversikt (refereegranskat)abstract
- Wetlands in many parts of the world have been degraded, as use of the land for food production and forestry for human needs have taken precedence. Drainage of wetlands has led to deteriorated wetland conditions and lowered water tables. Across the world, there are several programs for wetland restoration and construction, primarily to reintroduce lost habitats for wildlife, and to obtain nutrient retention functions. In Sweden, recent dry and hot summers have reinforced interest in the hydrological functions that wetlands may have, in particular as potential support for water storage in the landscape and added groundwater storage during dry periods. However, the agreement on substantial effects on groundwater is limited, and there are several critical knowledge gaps, including the extent to which such effects extend outside the wetland itself, and how they vary with local conditions, such as topography, soil, and climate. Therefore, this review will address the groundwater storage effect of restoring, constructing or draining wetlands in the boreo-temperate region. Methods: We will conduct a systematic review of the evidence, drawing on both peer-reviewed and grey literature. Articles in English, Swedish, Norwegian, Danish, French, German and Polish will be retrieved from academic databases, Google Scholar, and websites of specialist organizations. We will screen literature in two stages, first at the title and abstract level and then in full text, the latter with blinded decisions by two independent reviewers for all articles. Articles will be included based on relevance criteria for a Swedish context: wetlands on previously glaciated soils in boreal and temperate climates. Data will be extracted from all included articles, including wetland type, intervention type, and hydrogeological setting. Studies will be subject to critical appraisal to evaluate their susceptibility to bias. Provided enough evidence of sufficient reliability, we will carry out meta-analyses of effect sizes in relation to various factors. The review will include a narrative synthesis in which we summarize the results of the review.
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| 3. |
- Envall, Ida, 1972-
(författare)
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Evolutionary Perspectives on Naidinae (Annelida, Clitellata, Naididae): Molecular and Morphological Revelations
- 2009
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Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Naidinae is a group of tiny oligochaetous clitellates, common all over the world, primarily in freshwater. The taxon includes about 180 nominal species. In this thesis it is shown (using molecular data) that Naidinae (sensu Erséus and Gustavsson, 2002) is non-monophyletic, since one genus, Pristina, formerly regarded as part of Naidinae, is well-separated from the remaining naidines by some genera of another clitellate subfamily, Rhyacodrilinae. The ultrastructure of coelomocytes from several naidine and rhyacodriline species are described and compared with each other and with coelomocytes previously studied, from other clitellate taxa. The naidine and rhyacodriline coelomocytes are similar, differing from those of other groups, which corroborates the hypothesis of a close relationship between Rhyacodrilinae and Naidinae. Features of the chaetae are important taxonomic characters of Naidinae. However, the significance of chaetotaxy has been questioned. The correlation between genetic variation and chaetal morphology within the genus Nais is investigated. Principally, chaetal character patterns are congruent with the evolutionary lineages revealed by genetic data, but at least nine lineages correspond to at most six nominal species. The species complex Nais communis/variabilis appears to be a gathering of at least five separately evolving lineages. That is, cryptic speciation is revealed. Finally, six molecular markers are used to elucidate the phylogenetic relationships within the group, and the resulting tree is used to track the evolution of morphological characters commonly used in naidine taxonomy. The tropical genera Dero, Branchiodrilus, and Allonais branch off from the base of the naidine tree of life, suggesting that Naidinae originally evolved in the tropics. Chaetal characters are shown to be homoplastic to a great extent within the group, most certainly contributing to the overall confusion in naidine systematics.
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| 4. |
- Envall, Ida, et al.
(författare)
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Existing evidence related to soil retention of phosphorus from on-site wastewater treatment systems in boreal and temperate climate zones : a systematic map
- 2023
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Ingår i: Environmental Evidence. - : Springer Nature. - 2047-2382. ; 12:1
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background: In Sweden there are nearly one million soil-based on-site wastewater treatment systems (OWTSs). OWTSs may contribute to eutrophication of surface waters, due to the discharge of phosphorus (P). Hence, in certain cases, a high P removal rate (up to 90%) of OWTSs is required by Swedish authorities. Since these requirements may have costly consequences to property owners, it is debated whether they are too strict. In this debate, it is often claimed that the soil retention of P occurring in the natural environments may be underestimated by authorities. Soil retention is the inhibition of the transport of P through the ground, due to different chemical, physical and biological processes occurring there. These processes make the P transport slower, which may reduce the unwanted impact on receiving water bodies. However, the efficiency of soil retention of P remains unclear. The objective of this systematic map was to collect, code, organise and elucidate the relevant evidence related to the topic, to be able to guide stakeholders through the evidence base, and to support future research synthesising, commissioning, and funding. The systematic map was carried out in response to needs declared by the Swedish Agency for Marine and Water Management but the conclusions should be valid for a wider range of countries across boreo-temperate regions.Methods: Searches were made for peer-reviewed and grey literature using bibliographic databases, search engines, specialist websites, and stakeholder contacts. The references were screened for relevance according to a predefined set of eligibility criteria. A detailed database of the relevant studies was compiled. Data and metadata that enable evaluation and discussion of the character and quality of the evidence base were extracted and coded. Special focus was placed on assessing if existing evidence could contribute to policy and practice decision making. Descriptive information about the evidence base was presented in tables and figures. An interactive evidence atlas and a choropleth were created, displaying the locations of all studies.Review findings: 234 articles out of 10,797 screened records fulfilled the eligibility criteria. These articles contain 256 studies, performed in the field or in the laboratory. Six different study types were identified, based on where the measurements were conducted. Most studies, including laboratory studies, lack replicates. Most field studies are observational case studies.Conclusions: It is not possible to derive valid generic measures of the efficiency of soil retention of P occurring in the natural soil environment from available research. Neither does the evidence base allow for answering the question of the magnitude of the potential impact of OWTSs on the P concentration in recipients on a general basis, or under what conditions OWTSs generally have such an impact. A compilation of groundwater studies may provide examples of how far the P may reach in x years, but the number of groundwater studies is insufficient to draw any general conclusions, given the complexity and variability of the systems. Future research should strive for replicated study designs, more elaborate reporting, and the establishment of a reporting standard.
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| 5. |
- Envall, Ida, et al.
(författare)
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Genetic and chaetal variation in Nais worms (Annelida, Clitellata, Naididae)
- 2012
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Ingår i: Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society. - : Oxford University Press (OUP). - 0024-4082 .- 1096-3642. ; 165:3, s. 495-520
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The genus Nais is a group of oligochaetous clitellates, common in eutrophic freshwater habitats. About 30 species are described. Species identification is based primarily on chaetal characters, which are often subtle, inconsistent, and even overlapping between nominal species. We investigated the correlation between genetic variation and chaetal morphology in this genus. Eighty-one individuals from Europe, North America, and China were included in the study. Seventy-five of these were preserved as vouchers. They were scrutinized with regard to chaetal morphology, and ten different morphotypes were identified. Three molecular markers, two mitochondrial (the COI gene and 16S rDNA) and one nuclear (the ITS region), were used to establish the genetic lineages in the material. Genetic variation was found to be largely congruent with chaetal character patterns. However, at least nine separately evolving lineages (all supported by mitochondrial as well as nuclear data) correspond to at most six nominal species. Four morphotypes/lineages are recognized as Nais barbata, Nais christinae, Nais elinguis, and Nais stolci, respectively, whereas five, or possibly more, lineages represent a morphological continuum covering the variation of the Nais communis/variabilis complex. Thus, cryptic speciation is revealed. Our results indicate that a taxonomic revision of the genus will be needed in the future.
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| 6. |
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| 7. |
- Envall, Ida, 1972-, et al.
(författare)
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Molecular evidence for the non-monophyletic status of Naidinae (Annelida, Clitellata, Tubificidae)
- 2006
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Ingår i: Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution. - : Elsevier BV. - 1055-7903 .- 1095-9513. ; 40:2, s. 570-584
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Naidinae (former Naididae) is a group of small aquatic clitellate annelids, common worldwide. In this study, we evaluated the phylogenetic status of Naidinae, and examined the phylogenetic relationships within the group. Sequence data from two mitochondrial genes (12S rDNA and 16S rDNA), and one nuclear gene (18S rDNA), were used. Sequences were obtained from 27 naidine species, 24 species from the other tubificid subfamilies, and five outgroup taxa. New sequences (in all 108) as well as GenBank data were used. The data were analysed by parsimony and Bayesian inference. The tree topologies emanating from the different analyses are congruent to a great extent. Naidinae is not found to be monophyletic. The naidine genus Pristina appears to be a derived group within a clade consisting of several genera (Ainudrilus, Epirodrilus, Monopylephorus, and Rhyacodrilus) from another tubificid subfamily, Rhyacodrilinae. These results demonstrate the need for a taxonomic revision: either Ainudrilus, Epirodrilus, Monopylephorus, and Rhyacodrilus should be included within Naidinae, or Pristina should be excluded from this subfamily. Monophyly of four out of six naidine genera represented by more than one species is supported: Chaetogaster, Dero, Paranais, and Pristina, respectively
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| 8. |
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| 9. |
- Envall, Ida, et al.
(författare)
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Ultrastructural investigation of coelomocytes in representatives of Naidinae and Rhyacodrilinae (Annelida, Clitellata, Tubificidae)
- 2008
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Ingår i: Journal of Morphology. - : Wiley. - 0362-2525 .- 1097-4687. ; 269:9, s. 1157-1167
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Various types of free-floating cells are found in the coelomic fluid of representatives of several annelid groups. The ultrastructure of these "coelomocytes," however, has been studied to a limited degree. In this study, we used a transmission electron microscope to investigate the coelomocytes in specimens of five species of Naidinae and three species of Rhyacodrilinae (all oligochaetous clitellates within the family Tubificidae). These were compared with each other and with previously described coelomocytes of representatives of other oligochaete taxa. Only one distinguishable coelomocyte type was found in the studied specimens: a round to oblong cell without pseudopodia or other appendages, primarily containing membrane-bound granules of varying electron density, a prominent network of rough endoplasmic reticulum, and free ribosomes. This type differs to a great extent from most of the previously described coelomocytes, but shows similarities to certain types found in members of Enchytraeidae and Megascolecidae. Although we noticed some variation, we did not find any ultrastructural characters in these cells obviously useful for phylogenetic studies within Tubificidae.
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| 10. |
- Envall, Ida, et al.
(författare)
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What evidence exists related to soil retention of phosphorus from on-site wastewater treatment systems in boreal and temperate climate zones? : A systematic map protocol
- 2020
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Ingår i: Environmental Evidence. - : BMC. - 2047-2382. ; 9:1
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background Soil-based on-site wastewater treatment systems (OWSs) are suspected to contribute to eutrophication of surface waters, due to the discharge of phosphorus (P). However, along the flow path between the facilities and surface waters, different processes contribute to delay the transport of phosphorus through the ground. This may reduce the unwanted impact on receiving water bodies. However, the strength and significance of this so-called soil retention remains unclear. In Sweden, there are nearly one million OWSs. To protect surface waters, a high P removal rate (up to 90%) is often required by the local municipalities. However, since these requirements may have costly consequences to property owners, it is debated as to whether they are too strict. In this debate, it is often claimed that the retention of P occurring in natural environments may be underestimated by authorities. Accordingly, there is a need for a scrutiny of the available evidence related to soil retention of phosphorus from OWSs. This is the objective of the planned systematic map. Focus will be on boreal and temperate climate zones. Methods Searches will be made for peer-reviewed articles and grey literature using bibliographic databases, search engines, specialist websites and stakeholder contacts. The references will be screened for relevance according to a predefined set of eligibility criteria. At stage one, after testing and clarifying the eligibility criteria, the references will be single-screened based on title and abstract. At stage two, potentially relevant references will be screened in full-text independently by two reviewers. We will compile a detailed database of the relevant studies. Moreover, a narrative report will be produced, describing the research landscape in general terms. This will be carried out with a conceptual model, describing the processes involved in P retention in natural environments, as a foundation. It will be discussed where the respective studies/study types fit into the conceptual model, and also evaluated how each study/study type can be related to the overarching question of eutrophication. Moreover, we will describe identified knowledge gaps that warrant further primary research effort, as well as identified knowledge clusters that could be suitable for systematic reviews.
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| 11. |
- Envall, Ida, et al.
(författare)
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What is the effect of giving the grazers access to additional nutrient sources on biodiversity in semi-natural pastures? A systematic review protocol
- 2021
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Ingår i: Environmental Evidence. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 2047-2382. ; 10:1
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Forskningsöversikt (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background: Semi-natural pastures are unfertilized grasslands with a long history of traditional low-input grazing management. This kind of pastures are recognized for their high species richness. However, as a consequence of modernization of agriculture, many of the semi-natural pastures have been lost during the last century, leading to a serious threat to farmland biodiversity. Semi-natural pastures are relatively low in productivity. Hence, to increase profitability, farmers may want to give the grazing animals access to additional nutrient sources. This can be done either as supplementary feeding, or by fencing the semi-natural pastures into the same enclosure as improved, more nutrient-rich, pastures. These practices are, however, controversial. It is argued that since semi-natural pastures are species-rich partly because they are nutrient-poor, introducing additional nutrients into the system should be avoided. Accordingly, in Sweden, these interventions are often prohibited while receiving financial subsidies for management of semi-natural pastures. However, since many farmers are dependent on such support to maintain their pastures, these prohibitions often cause problems. The question has been raised whether giving the grazers access to additional nutrient sources really affect the biodiversity in semi-natural pastures, as is assumed. The primary aim of the proposed systematic review is to answer this question.Method: Peer-reviewed and grey literature will be searched for using bibliographic databases, search engines, specialist websites and stakeholder contacts. The references will be screened for relevance according to a predefined set of eligibility criteria. The criteria will be tested and clarified iteratively, until consistency in interpretations is achieved. Thereafter, the literature will be screened in two stages, first based upon title and abstract and then by examining full texts. Full text screening will be performed with blinded decisions by two independent reviewers. Each relevant study will then be critically appraised, based on a set of predefined validity criteria. A narrative synthesis will be provided, outlining the evidence base in terms of bibliographic information and study metadata. If possible, quantitative syntheses based on meta-analyses will be performed. Identified relevant knowledge gaps will be highlighted and discussed.
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| 12. |
- Ericson, Per G P, 1956-, et al.
(författare)
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Inter-familial relationships of the shorebirds (Aves : Charadriiformes) based on nuclear DNA sequence data.
- 2003
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Ingår i: BMC Evolutionary Biology. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1471-2148. ; 3, s. 16-
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- BACKGROUND: Phylogenetic hypotheses of higher-level relationships in the order Charadriiformes based on morphological data, partly disagree with those based on DNA-DNA hybridisation data. So far, these relationships have not been tested by analysis of DNA sequence data. Herein we utilize 1692 bp of aligned, nuclear DNA sequences obtained from 23 charadriiform species, representing 15 families. We also test earlier suggestions that bustards and sandgrouses may be nested with the charadriiforms. The data is analysed with methods based on the parsimony and maximum-likelihood criteria.RESULTS: Several novel phylogenetic relationships were recovered and strongly supported by the data, regardless of which method of analysis was employed. These include placing the gulls and allied groups as a sistergroup to the sandpiper-like birds, and not to the plover-like birds. The auks clearly belong to the clade with the gulls and allies, and are not basal to most other charadriiform birds as suggested in analyses of morphological data. Pluvialis, which has been supposed to belong to the plover family (Charadriidae), represents a basal branch that constitutes the sister taxon to a clade with plovers, oystercatchers and avocets. The thick-knees and sheathbills unexpectedly cluster together.CONCLUSION: The DNA sequence data contains a strong phylogenetic signal that results in a well-resolved phylogenetic tree with many strongly supported internodes. Taxonomically it is the most inclusive study of shorebird families that relies on nucleotide sequences. The presented phylogenetic hypothesis provides a solid framework for analyses of macroevolution of ecological, morphological and behavioural adaptations observed within the order Charadriiformes.
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| 13. |
- Erséus, Christer, 1951, et al.
(författare)
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Molecular data reveal a tropical freshwater origin of Naidinae (Annelida, Clitellata, Naididae)
- 2017
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Ingår i: Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution. - : Elsevier BV. - 1055-7903 .- 1095-9513. ; 115, s. 115-127
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The phylogenetic relationships within Naidinae (Annelida, Clitellata, Naididae) were investigated, using six molecular markers, both mitochondrial (12S rDNA, 16S rDNA, the COI gene) and nuclear (18S rDNA, 28S rDNA, the ITS region). Thirty-seven nominal species, representing 16 of the 22 genera recognized in the subfamily, were included, and the Nais conmmmunis/variabilis species complex was represented by six different morphotypes. Ten other species of Naididae were selected as outgroups. The data were analysed by Bayesian inference and Maximum Likelihood. The phylogeny corroborates monophyly of the Naidinae, and the separate status of the genus Pristina (Pristininae) and the Opistocystinae. Relationships within Naidinae are largely well supported, but in some parts unexpected: (1) A Glade containing the largely tropical genera Dero and Branchiodrilus is sister to the rest of the subfamily, and together with a third tropical genus, Allonais, they form a basal paraphyly. All these genera show morphological adaptations to environmental hypoxia, leading to the conclusion that Naidinae originated in tropical freshwaters. (2) The genera Dero, Nais and Piguetiella are paraphyletic. (3) At least Branchiodrilus, Paranais, Chaetogaster, Nais, Stylaria appear to contain cryptic species. Morphological characters, especially those associated with chaetae, are to a great extent homoplastic within Naidinae, which certainly has contributed to the overall taxonomic confusion of this subfamily.
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| 14. |
- Erséus, Christer, 1951, et al.
(författare)
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The systematic position of Opistocystidae (Annelida, Clitellata) revealed by DNA data
- 2010
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Ingår i: Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution. - : Elsevier BV. - 1055-7903 .- 1095-9513. ; 54:1, s. 309-313
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Opistocystidae Cernosvitov, 1936 is a largely Neotropical oligochaete taxon containing seven species. its familial status has never been formally challenged, although possible close relationships with Naididae and Phreodrilidae have been noted. Mitochondrial 12S and 16S rDNA, and nuclear 18S rDNA, of a range of aquatic oligochaete taxa, including Trieminentia corderoi (Opistocystidae), were analysed by Bayesian inference. This showed that T. corderoi is a derived lineage within Naididae, closely related to Pristina and its monotypic subfamily Pristininae. Opistocystidae as a whole (with its three genera, Opistocysta, Trieminentia, and Crustipellis) is thus likely to be a group within Naididae.
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| 15. |
- Fredriksson, Karolina, et al.
(författare)
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Klassrumsdialog i matematikundervisningen : matematiska samtal i helklass i grundskolan
- 2017
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Rapport (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Denna systematiska översikt ger en bild av vad forskningen sammantaget säger om hur lärare kan leda samtal i helklass för att få elever att delta i gemensamma matematiska resonemang. Det handlar om diskussioner i vilka eleverna använder och analyserar matematiska begrepp och argumenterar matematiskt. Detta är förmågor som kursplanen i matematik anger att undervisningen ska ge eleverna förutsättningar att utveckla, och som forskning lyfter fram att elever i svensk skola behöver förstärka. Översikten rör också frågor om hur lärare kan möta och ta tillvara elevers olikheter i undervisningen, närmare bestämt hur lärare kan få med elever som inte är så benägna att delta i gemensamma resonemang, och hur elevers olika idéer kan bli en del av de matematiska samtalen och berika dem. Översikten utgår från följande frågeställning:Vad kännetecknar klassrumsdialoger som engagerar elever i matematiskaresonemang och som möter och tar tillvara elevers olikheter, och vad kännetecknarlärarens ledning av sådana dialoger?Översikten är en sammanställning av arton forskningsstudier som systematiskt har valts ut av forskare efter omfattande litteratursökningar i internationella forskningsdatabaser. Sökningarna resulterade i 10 528 studier.Studierna bygger på ingående observationer och analyser av dialoger i helklass mellan lärare och elever. Det är klassrumssituationer som lärare skulle kunna känna igen sig i. Analyserna sätter ord på det som sker och ger förståelse i form av olika begrepp och strukturer. Denna vetenskapligt grundade kunskap kan utgöra stöd för lärare när de planerar och leder klassrumsdialoger i matematikundervisningen.
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| 16. |
- Isaksson, Sven, et al.
(författare)
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A Novel Method to Analyze Social Transmission in Chronologically Sequenced Assemblages, Implemented on Cultural Inheritance of the Art of Cooking
- 2015
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Ingår i: PLOS ONE. - : Public Library of Science (PLoS). - 1932-6203. ; 10:5
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Here we present an analytical technique for the measurement and evaluation of changes in chronologically sequenced assemblages. To illustrate the method, we studied the cultural evolution of European cooking as revealed in seven cook books dispersed over the past 800 years. We investigated if changes in the set of commonly used ingredients were mainly gradual or subject to fashion fluctuations. Applying our method to the data from the cook books revealed that overall, there is a clear continuity in cooking over the ages - cooking is knowledge that is passed down through generations, not something (re-) invented by each generation on its own. Looking at three main categories of ingredients separately (spices, animal products and vegetables), however, disclosed that all ingredients do not change according to the same pattern. While choice of animal products was very conservative, changing completely sequentially, changes in the choices of spices, but also of vegetables, were more unbounded. We hypothesize that this may be due a combination of fashion fluctuations and changes in availability due to contact with the Americas during our study time period. The presented method is also usable on other assemblage type data, and can thus be of utility for analyzing sequential archaeological data from the same area or other similarly organized material.
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| 17. |
- Lindenfors, Patrik, 1964-, et al.
(författare)
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An empirical study of cultural evolution : the development of European cookery from medieval to modern times
- 2015
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Ingår i: Cliodynamics. - : California Digital Library (CDL). - 2373-7530. ; 6:2, s. 115-129
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- We have carried out an empirical study of long-term change in European cookery to test if the development of this cultural phenomenon matches a general hypothesis about cultural evolution: that human cultural change is characterized by cumulativity. Data from seven cookery books, evenly spaced across time, the oldest one written in medieval times (~1200) and the most recent one dating from late modernity (1999), were compared. Ten recipes from each of three categories (‘poultry recipes’, ‘fish recipes,’ and ‘meat recipes’) were arbitrarily selected from each cookery book by selecting the first ten recipes in each category, and the numbers (per recipe) of steps, separate partial processes, methods, ingredients, semi-manufactured ingredients, compound semi-manufactured ingredients (defined as semi-manufactured ingredients containing no less than two raw products), and self-made semi-manufactured ingredients were counted. Regression analyses were used to quantitatively compare the cookery from different ages. We found a significant increase in the numbers (per recipe) of steps, separate partial processes, methods, ingredients, and semi-manufactured ingredients. These significant increases enabled us to identify the development of cookery as an example of the general trend of cumulativity in long-term cultural evolution. The number of self-made semi-manufactured ingredients per recipe, however, tended to decrease over time, which may reflect the cumulative characteristics of cultural evolution at the level of society, considering the accumulation of knowledge that is required to industrialize food production.
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| 18. |
- Lindenfors, Patrik, et al.
(författare)
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Unjustified assumptions of inheritance
- 2010
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Annan publikation (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- An important difference between biological and cultural evolution is that biological inheritance is transmitted from parent to offspring (vertical transfer) whereas cultural information can be transmitted between any two individuals (horizontal and vertical transfer), and consequently between any two populations. The amount of horizontal transfer has been shown to be of importance for the reliability of results of phylogenetic methods in anthropology (3, 4, 5, 6). There is even evidence of horizontal transmission of language elements (7), rendering a reconstruction of the history of a single language element unreliable even on its own phylogeny.These issues are currently of intense interest , something that Currie et al. acknowledge but do not handle. No phylogeny for political organization has yet been found, but one may nevertheless exist. However, it is also possible that political organization has spread mainly by diffusion. Currie et al. discuss this and point out that their own simulation studies have shown that phylogenetic methods are robust in relation to realistic transmission scenarios (8) , without defining realistic. Neither do they clarify why their own simulations on continuous data provides contrary evidence to simulations on categorical data (10, 11) (political organization is categorical). Further, political organization is a single trait that may or may not be in agreement with any statistical pattern.The authors claim that political organization has a number of characteristics that makes diffusion unlikely. These combine to make political organization too complicated to diffuse. This assertion is untestable and not a sound scientific motivation for not empirically testing the possibility of horizontal transfers, e.g. with a test for phylogenetic signal (12, 13).There are many examples of diffusion of complex cultural traits. A relevant case concerns the spread of democracy. Democracy was virtually unimplemented in the 18th century. From this humble beginning it has spread and is today one of the most common forms of governance (14). Rather than having been inherited democracy has spread by diffusion. Observing behaviours of others and adopting successful traits, or adopting traits of successful individuals or societies, is common (15). To assume different rules for the spread of political complexity in Austronesia than those that have proven valid in the developed world is to assume that people who live in cultures other than our own use different criteria when evaluating cultural traits. This has not yet been shown.The unknown status of why any given cultural trait is present in any given ethnic group is a well-known problem in anthropology, having its own term: Galtons problem (16). One has to control for both horizontal transfer and common descent in order to make inferences about the presence of cultural traits. Phylogenetic methods have been imported from biology to correct for problems caused by common descent. Now, it seems, the problem of horizontal transfer is forgotten instead. This renders the results of Currie et al. unreliable.
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