Researchers from Denmark and Spain have concluded that wild ancestors of ancient crops like wheat, rye, and barley occupied a much smaller land area than previously believed, based on machine learning and climate models.
Researchers from Copenhagen University and the University of the Basque Country have uncovered new insights into the geographic distribution of wild ancestors of key agricultural crops, such as wheat, rye, and barley. Their study, published in Open Quaternary, reveals that these wild plant species were likely concentrated in a significantly smaller area than previously thought, specifically between the eastern Mediterranean coast and the Persian Gulf, a region later known as the Fertile Crescent. This area is crucial as it is where agriculture began over 12,000 years ago.
The findings challenge earlier assumptions about the distribution of these wild ancestors, suggesting that they did not grow in as many locations as previously believed. Joe Roe of Copenhagen University and Amaia Arranz-Otaegui of the Basque Country University noted that their research utilized machine learning techniques to analyze climate models and predict probable habitats of 65 wild plant species during the pre-agricultural era. The results indicate a more restricted habitat range, which could reshape our understanding of agricultural evolution and crop domestication.
The implications of this research extend beyond historical curiosity; they could also inform modern agricultural practices. By understanding where these wild ancestors thrived, current and future agricultural efforts may benefit from insights into climate resilience and biodiversity. The researchers express surprise at their own findings, as it highlights the narrow geographic distribution necessary for the initial development of cultivated agriculture, a transformative phase in human history.
