01. Anthropocene [Noun]
The term “Anthropocene” combines “anthropo,” meaning “human,” with “-cene,” referring to geological time scales[hierarchical series of smaller chunks of time].
Anthropocene is an unofficial unit of geologic time, used to describe the most recent period of the contemporary global environment dominated by human activity which has a significant impact on the planet’s climate and ecosystems.
The usage of the term:
- 1873, the Italian geologist Antonio Stoppani – ‘Anthropozoic Era’
- Biologist Eugene F. Stoermer – 1970’s
- Biologist Eugene F. Stoermer in 2000’s – Anthropocene
Key events for that led to anthropocene:
- Industrial Revolution
- Mid 20th century : Great Acceleration
- First Atomic bomb
- Wars and distress
It is characterized by human-driven changes such as climate change, biodiversity loss, and alterations to the planet’s biogeochemical cycles.
Fig 1. Stratigraphically significant trends over the past 15,000 yr ; [Source: Shruti Sahasrabudhe]
The graph portrays the changes in various aspects such as CO2 Levels, Temperature, human population; since the beginning of the holocene and a sudden spike in all the parameters, nearly around mid-1900’s; (leaving behind Holocene) which demarcates the start of anthropocene.
Reference: Are we now living in the anthropocene? – geological society of America. (n.d.).
02. Anthropogenic Soils [Noun]
Humans have modified ecosystems with varying intensity and over various spatial extents. These anthropogenic changes imply a modification in both the natural communities and the natural processes that cause disturbance; example biodiversity loss, climate change, biogeography and nocturnality parameters, changes in geomorphology and stratigraphy (sedimentological record, fossil record, trace elements).
Anthropogenic soil horizons, of which several types are recognized, provide extensive terrestrial stratigraphic markers for defining the start of the Anthropocene, as there are untraceable repositories of artifacts and properties that testify to the dominance of the human impact.
It is also referred to as Anthrosoils, Technogenic soils, Man-made soils; are formed by: (1) sealing a natural soil beneath pavement or other artificially manufactured impervious material, (2) transformation of a natural soil by human action, or (3) development of a new soil profile in parent materials created and deposited by human action.
Fig 2. A Visual Representation of Anthropogenic Soils ; [Source: – Shruti Sahasrabudhe]
The pedosphere is regarded as the best indicator of the rise to dominance of human impacts on the total environment
Original: Harries, F. (2021, January 25). Adaptive ecology. Medium.
3. Anthropology [Noun]
Anthropology is a speculative study and practice in contemporary social life, to trace emergent conditions of city making ; thus reflecting a social experience and socio-cultural significance of the way we see the world, nature, flora and fauna along with the understanding of the relationship between place, space, landscape and culture. It offers a setting in which the residents are able to document and articulate their legacies; learning from experience, from participating in and sharing in the places and the presence of others, through a commitment to ‘learning by doing’ marks the anthropological field of practice.
The first use of the term “anthropology” in English to refer to a natural science of humanity was apparently in 1593 in Richard Harvey’s book “Philadelphus, a defense of the legend of Brutus in British history”, which includes the study of Genealogy.
‘Sociology’, ‘Archaeology’, ‘Ethnology’, ‘Ethnography’
Fig. 3.1. Types of “Anthropology” ; [Source: – Shruti Sahasrabudhe]
3a. Anthropology : Environmental and Ecological Anthropology [Noun]
Environmental and ecological anthropology is a subfield of anthropology that focuses on the relationships between humans and their setting, including the impact of human activities on ecosystems and the ways in which environmental factors influence human societies. This subfield emerged in response to growing concerns about environmental degradation, biodiversity loss, climate change, and other pressing ecological issues.
‘Cultural Landscape’, ‘Human-Environment System’
Fig 1 Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) : Root bridges of Meghalaya
Fig 2 Urban Ecology and Environmental Justice : The Highline Park- The park is divided into three sections and has more than a dozen access points along its route above the city – thus contributing to the ecosystem
Fig 3 Climate Change and Adaptation Strategies : Seoul River Revitalization : Over 75% of the material torn down from the old highway was reused to construct the park and rehabilitate the stream. The area surrounding the park is about 3.6 deg C cooler
Fig 4 Resource Management : Local materials are employed to build systems that can adapt to their environment, providing comfort and safety to the populace.
3b. Anthropology : Biocultural Biodiversity [Noun]
The coevolution between highly biodiverse regions and the ethnic–linguistic diversity of indigenous communities offers resilience of ecosystems and human communities to achieve more holistic and effective approaches.
Conservation programs for protected areas and plant genetic resources have evolved in similar ways, beginning with a focus on single species and expanding to ecosystem strategies that involve the participation of local people. Anthropologists have described the increasing importance of the participation of local people in conservation programs, both of local populations in protected area management and of farmers in plant genetic resources.
Biocultural diversity is more a sensitizing concept such as e.g., quality of life or sustainable development, lacking such specific attributes and precise reference values. It attributes to Spatial heterogeneity, Vegetation structure, Biological diversity, Functional diversity, Tree health, and Regeneration status.
Fig 1. A snippet of Doyapada Village ; [Source: – Shruti Sahasrabudhe]
Doyapada Village: The Lifestyle of people revolves around the idea of circularity and creating a loop amongst the 5 principles; JANGAL (forest) , JANWAR (Animals), JAMIN (Land), JAL (Water) and JAN (Human Beings), such that every principle gets its own due priority and is considered while making any decision right from the micro-scale to macro-scale. The houses are constructed by the community itself and an area in the forest is allocated for harvesting the trees for construction purposes, and once they harvest , they plant new trees for construction in the next cycle (to build new houses after a couple of decades). The clever use of materials also plays an important role in creating the natural cycle. Their lives are centered around sustainability, which enables them to reflect this in each and every practice they adopt. Thus, demonstrating Strong sustainability.
Understanding of the Community of Doyapada, Maharashtra, India ; [Source : Diagram by Batch of 2022 _ Academy of Architecture(unaided), Mumbai]
01. Agriculture is their livelihood; and they earn by selling their produce. Thus, the LAND that gives them food also gives them the RESOURCES to build a new house.
02. With close vicinity of forest and the river, there is an extensive use of the various [medicinal] herbs, flowers, leaves; they maintain a healthy life and treatments to diseases and ailments.
03. All the animals also serve a very prominent role in the lives of the community, they treat the animals as their family members and celebrate them.
04. The River is the main source of water for the community along with fish. Water is another key element in their daily life, including agriculture, bathing etc.
4. Heritage [Noun]
“Heritage” is a property(tangible, intangible) something that is inherited, passed down from previous generations.
It gives significance to people on account of historical, physical (ie, technological, archaeological, architectural) and cultural values, cultural identity, historical significance, tourism and economic value, environmental conservation, intergenerational connection, cultural diversity, national and international pride.
Heritage, in its broadest sense, signals the past as a foreign territory, as an absence made present through preserved traces and as a speculation that informs our relation to our futures.
Fig 4.1: A lidar image of the Cotoca site (Image credit: H. Prümers / German Archaeological Institute)
Amazon is one of the planet’s last great wildernesses, but legends have circulated for centuries that lost cities existed deep within the forests. A search for El Dorado, a supposed city of gold, lured many Spanish explorers far off the map, and some of them never returned.
Fig 4.2 : Laser mapping uncovers dozens of ancient Mayan cities in Amazon Forests : Pacunam/Estrada -Beli
Evidence of agriculture, irrigation, quarries and defensive fortifications were more widespread than experts had anticipated
Fig 4.3 and Fig 4.4: Snippet of Collserola Natural Park, Before and Today
The Collserola Natural park was an essential migratory path monks back in the early days. Valldaura is thus named after “valley of Lorrals. In the 19th century it was an industrial area, which then gradually was converted into the lush green forest as seen today; which is also a man made forest.
