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Widespread Amazonian dark earth in the Xingu Indigenous Territory

Author

Listed:
  • Samuel L. Goldberg

    (University of Miami
    University of Miami
    Massachusetts Institute of Technology)

  • Morgan J. Schmidt

    (Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    University of Florida
    Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina)

  • Joshua D. Himmelstein

    (Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    University of North Carolina)

  • Michael Heckenberger

    (University of Florida)

  • Bruna Franchetto

    (Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro)

  • Helena Lima

    (Museu Paraense Emilio Goeldi)

  • Jennifer Watling

    (Universidade de São Paulo)

  • Bruno Moraes

    (Puente Institute
    Earth Analytic Inc.)

  • Wetherbee B. Dorshow

    (Puente Institute
    Earth Analytic Inc.
    University of New Mexico)

  • Carlos Fausto

    (Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro)

  • Kumessi Waura

    (Associação Indígena do Alto Xingu (AIKAX))

  • Huke Kuikuro

    (Associação Indígena do Alto Xingu (AIKAX))

  • Taku Wate Kuikuro

    (Associação Indígena do Alto Xingu (AIKAX))

  • Afukaka Kuikuro

    (Associação Indígena do Alto Xingu (AIKAX))

  • J. Taylor Perron

    (Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Massachusetts Institute of Technology)

Abstract

Amazonian dark earth (ADE) is highly nutrient- and carbon-rich soil created by past inhabitants of the Amazon. It would be valuable to know the extent of ADE because of its cultural and environmental importance, but systematic efforts to map its distribution and extent are impractical with traditional field methods. We use remote-sensing imagery and a machine-learning classifier with ground-truthed training data to predict the occurrence of ADE across the 26,000 km2 Território Indígena do Xingu (TIX) in the southeastern Amazon region of Brazil. We find widespread ADE across the TIX, well beyond previously studied archaeological sites, occupying at least 3–4% of the land area. We further estimate that the TIX may sequester 9 Mt of carbon within ADE deposits from past human inputs. Our findings show that ancient inhabitants of the TIX substantially modified their environment, highlighting the importance of conserving this natural and cultural resource given threats from climate change and deforestation.

Suggested Citation

  • Samuel L. Goldberg & Morgan J. Schmidt & Joshua D. Himmelstein & Michael Heckenberger & Bruna Franchetto & Helena Lima & Jennifer Watling & Bruno Moraes & Wetherbee B. Dorshow & Carlos Fausto & Kumess, 2024. "Widespread Amazonian dark earth in the Xingu Indigenous Territory," Nature Sustainability, Nature, vol. 7(10), pages 1304-1312, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natsus:v:7:y:2024:i:10:d:10.1038_s41893-024-01399-3
    DOI: 10.1038/s41893-024-01399-3
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