The Black Death's Counterintuitive Impact on Plant Biodiversity

Recent research from the University of York’s Leverhulme Centre for Anthropocene Biodiversity reveals that the Black Death, which decimated Europe’s population between 1347 and 1353, did not lead to the anticipated increase in plant biodiversity. Instead, the study indicates a significant decline in biodiversity for 150 years following the pandemic. The researchers analyzed over 100 fossil pollen records across Europe, demonstrating that as farmland was abandoned and traditional land management practices ceased, plant diversity plummeted.

Black Death said to have cause 150-year biodiversity declineThe ConversationBlack Death ‘rewilding’ did not boost biodiversity, study suggestsDiscover Magazine

Jonathan Gordon, a postdoctoral research associate involved in the study, noted that the aftermath of the Black Death resulted in widespread rewilding, where forests spread into previously cultivated areas. However, this rewilding did not enhance biodiversity. The study found that biodiversity began to recover only after human populations rebounded and agricultural activities resumed, a process that took approximately 300 years to return to pre-plague levels.

Discover MagazineBlack Death said to have cause 150-year biodiversity declineBlack Death ‘rewilding’ did not boost biodiversity, study suggestsThe Conversation

The findings challenge contemporary conservation strategies, particularly the rewilding movement, which advocates for reducing human activity to allow nature to recover. The research suggests that many plant species thrive due to long-term human disturbances, such as farming and grazing. Co-author Professor Chris Thomas emphasized that biodiversity and human land use do not have to be in conflict; rather, they often depend on one another.

Black Death ‘rewilding’ did not boost biodiversity, study suggests

Historically, European landscapes featured mixed agricultural systems, where farmlands were interspersed with woodlands and uncultivated plots. This diversity created a patchy landscape conducive to various plant species. The Black Death disrupted this balance, leading to a less diverse environment. The study highlights that areas where crop production continued saw an increase in plant biodiversity, reinforcing the idea that human management can positively influence ecosystems.

The ConversationDiscover MagazineBlack Death ‘rewilding’ did not boost biodiversity, study suggestsBlack Death said to have cause 150-year biodiversity decline

The research raises critical questions about current conservation policies that promote the removal of human influence from landscapes. It suggests that such approaches may inadvertently harm biodiversity. The authors advocate for a "patchwork approach" to land management, which includes a mosaic of crops, woodlands, and other habitats coexisting within the same landscape. This model has proven successful in regions like the Iberian dehesas and Alpine pastures.

Black Death ‘rewilding’ did not boost biodiversity, study suggests

The findings from this study underscore the complex relationship between humans and nature, suggesting that a nuanced understanding is essential for effective biodiversity conservation. The historical context of the Black Death serves as a reminder that human presence and management can play a crucial role in fostering diverse ecosystems. As contemporary conservation efforts evolve, recognizing the value of traditional, low-intensity land management practices may be key to promoting both biodiversity and cultural heritage.

The Conversation

• “We examined plant diversity in the centuries before and after the Black Death and found that biodiversity declined significantly in the 150 years following the pandemic.” — Jonathan Gordon, Postdoctoral Research Associate

Black Death said to have cause 150-year biodiversity decline

• “Our work offers a more nuanced perspective on the relationship between humans and nature, indicating that biodiversity and human land use do not have to be in conflict.” — Chris Thomas, Co-author and Ecologist

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