Evolution and the Evironment

Presentation Location

VSU University Center, Magnolia Room 2

Document Type

Event

Start Date

10-3-2023 8:30 AM

End Date

10-3-2023 10:00 AM

Description

Evolution and the Environment (Catherine Bowers, Session Chair)

  • Brian Ring. (Valdosta State University). Contemporary Meets Ancient Human DNA: Emerging Fields of Biological Anthropology.
    Since the release of the first human draft genome in 2003 many technological advances have enabled scientists to compare genomic sequences of extant and ancient human and/or hominid sources. Nearly 10 years after the first human genome was released over 1,000 extant human genomes from around the world have been sequenced to create a population database “snapshot “of our genetic diversity. With consumer direct DNA testing growing in popularity, a network of millions of human DNA datasets are now interconnected allowing for advancements in health, genealogy, forensics, and more. More recent developments have allowed older specimens of ancient DNA from fossil sources to be sequenced and compared to the various databases above. Several interdisciplinary fields of biology (genomics) and anthropology are now emerging where comparisons can be made between our contemporary snap shot of human population genetics and those ancestors that lived before us. Some of these emerging fields will be presented as case studies from the literature. The potential of understanding how our current anthropological groups compared to those in the past will undoubtedly expand into our future.
  • Sandra Stevens. (Valdosta State University) The Effects of Climate Change in Your Kitchen.
    The effect humans have on the earth is a chain reaction that not only affects communities at large but negatively impacts the physical environment as well. The environment that individuals experience can heavily impact their worldview which goes on to impact their physical/mental health and their cultural practices. As a result of this chain reaction, individuals have become more susceptible to the adverse consequences of capitalism and over-commodification. Climate change has negatively affected farmers across the world and capitalism and over commodification have accelerated environmental issues. Local farmers have been forced to adapt to the effects of climate change and a fluctuating economy. This study aims to investigate the impact that climate change has on local farmers and a fraction of the communities they provide for. This study's research will also take into account other perspectives in literature as well.
  • Dillon Wheeler. (Lee University) “Always Gotta Replant the Berries”: Planting and Protection as Generalized Reciprocity Among Appalachian Ginseng Hunters
    The harvesting of wild American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius) has been an important cultural practice in Appalachia since the plant's identification by colonists in 1716. The large majority of ginseng harvested by Appalachian “ginseng hunters” is exported to Chinese consumers, embedding the unique regional practice within an expansive global trade system. Many populations of American ginseng are currently shrinking, harming a tradition that is central to a sense of collective Appalachian identity for many. Based on formal interviews, informal conversations, and participant observation conducted with ginseng hunters in southeast Tennessee, this project examines the conservation practices of Appalachian ginseng hunters as a unique example of Marshall Sahlin’s generalized reciprocity. The study shows that many hunters, while motivated to meet their own consumption needs, conserve the plant for others without a foreseeable return from the beneficiaries of these altruistic gifts. Many will plant ginseng seeds, replant ginseng roots, or hide ginseng patches to bolster the bonds of future kin through tradition, assist the broader Appalachian community, and sustain the livelihood of the plant itself.
  • Catherine Bowers. (Valdosta State University) The Evolution of Information Literacy in Anthropology: Thresholds in the Ecosystem of Library Research
    Information literacy is a set of practices and behaviors that allows researchers to navigate and use information and consider many aspects of the process, however, there is very little inquiry into the intersection of anthropology and information literacy. This presentation will address the evolution of information literacy principles for anthropology students and researchers, especially in the idea of using library resources for research and the librarians who work with them. As background, this presentation will outline general principles in information literacy described in the 2015 Framework for Information Literacy, and connect the primary principles to the ecosystems of information needs of researchers. Among these ideas such as the idea of authority as constructed and contextual, elements of the scholarly conversation, and perhaps most significantly for anthropologists, the value of and access to information, plus the evolving ideas of information ethics, and where infolit concepts could be implemented for the teaching and learning of anthropology and complementary fields. This presentation would especially welcome questions and responses from anthropologists who work with undergraduate students.

This document is currently not available here.

Share

COinS
 
Mar 10th, 8:30 AM Mar 10th, 10:00 AM

Evolution and the Evironment

VSU University Center, Magnolia Room 2

Evolution and the Environment (Catherine Bowers, Session Chair)

  • Brian Ring. (Valdosta State University). Contemporary Meets Ancient Human DNA: Emerging Fields of Biological Anthropology.
    Since the release of the first human draft genome in 2003 many technological advances have enabled scientists to compare genomic sequences of extant and ancient human and/or hominid sources. Nearly 10 years after the first human genome was released over 1,000 extant human genomes from around the world have been sequenced to create a population database “snapshot “of our genetic diversity. With consumer direct DNA testing growing in popularity, a network of millions of human DNA datasets are now interconnected allowing for advancements in health, genealogy, forensics, and more. More recent developments have allowed older specimens of ancient DNA from fossil sources to be sequenced and compared to the various databases above. Several interdisciplinary fields of biology (genomics) and anthropology are now emerging where comparisons can be made between our contemporary snap shot of human population genetics and those ancestors that lived before us. Some of these emerging fields will be presented as case studies from the literature. The potential of understanding how our current anthropological groups compared to those in the past will undoubtedly expand into our future.
  • Sandra Stevens. (Valdosta State University) The Effects of Climate Change in Your Kitchen.
    The effect humans have on the earth is a chain reaction that not only affects communities at large but negatively impacts the physical environment as well. The environment that individuals experience can heavily impact their worldview which goes on to impact their physical/mental health and their cultural practices. As a result of this chain reaction, individuals have become more susceptible to the adverse consequences of capitalism and over-commodification. Climate change has negatively affected farmers across the world and capitalism and over commodification have accelerated environmental issues. Local farmers have been forced to adapt to the effects of climate change and a fluctuating economy. This study aims to investigate the impact that climate change has on local farmers and a fraction of the communities they provide for. This study's research will also take into account other perspectives in literature as well.
  • Dillon Wheeler. (Lee University) “Always Gotta Replant the Berries”: Planting and Protection as Generalized Reciprocity Among Appalachian Ginseng Hunters
    The harvesting of wild American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius) has been an important cultural practice in Appalachia since the plant's identification by colonists in 1716. The large majority of ginseng harvested by Appalachian “ginseng hunters” is exported to Chinese consumers, embedding the unique regional practice within an expansive global trade system. Many populations of American ginseng are currently shrinking, harming a tradition that is central to a sense of collective Appalachian identity for many. Based on formal interviews, informal conversations, and participant observation conducted with ginseng hunters in southeast Tennessee, this project examines the conservation practices of Appalachian ginseng hunters as a unique example of Marshall Sahlin’s generalized reciprocity. The study shows that many hunters, while motivated to meet their own consumption needs, conserve the plant for others without a foreseeable return from the beneficiaries of these altruistic gifts. Many will plant ginseng seeds, replant ginseng roots, or hide ginseng patches to bolster the bonds of future kin through tradition, assist the broader Appalachian community, and sustain the livelihood of the plant itself.
  • Catherine Bowers. (Valdosta State University) The Evolution of Information Literacy in Anthropology: Thresholds in the Ecosystem of Library Research
    Information literacy is a set of practices and behaviors that allows researchers to navigate and use information and consider many aspects of the process, however, there is very little inquiry into the intersection of anthropology and information literacy. This presentation will address the evolution of information literacy principles for anthropology students and researchers, especially in the idea of using library resources for research and the librarians who work with them. As background, this presentation will outline general principles in information literacy described in the 2015 Framework for Information Literacy, and connect the primary principles to the ecosystems of information needs of researchers. Among these ideas such as the idea of authority as constructed and contextual, elements of the scholarly conversation, and perhaps most significantly for anthropologists, the value of and access to information, plus the evolving ideas of information ethics, and where infolit concepts could be implemented for the teaching and learning of anthropology and complementary fields. This presentation would especially welcome questions and responses from anthropologists who work with undergraduate students.