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This research aims to explore the drivers of biodiversity change over millennia in relation to land use across the Swiss Plateau.

June 12, 2026Nature CommunicationsOpen Access

Decadal-scale pollen records link land use and plant diversity change across European lowlands over seven millennia

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Decadal-scale pollen analysis shows plant diversity shifts in response to land use over seven millennia, indicating human impact on ecosystems.

This research aims to explore the drivers of biodiversity change over millennia in relation to land use across the Swiss Plateau.
Used contiguous pollen records from three lake sediment sites over 7.6 millennia, constrained by 227 radiocarbon dates.
Examined relationships between palynological richness and land use probability across six historical epochs.
Analyzed vegetation histories and their responses to land use practices, including cultivation and fire.
Plant diversity increased with traditional land use practices and decreased during significant historical crises such as the Black Death (p<0.001).
Medieval and early modern landscapes exhibited the highest palynological richness, while a decline in diversity was noted in recent decades due to industrialized agriculture.
Findings indicate continuous human influence on biodiversity across the European lowlands for over 7,000 years.

Rey et al. (2026) studied this question.

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Decadal-scale pollen analysis shows plant diversity shifts in response to land use over seven millennia, indicating human impact on ecosystems.