A study published in Nature has shown that populations’ ability to resist and recover from frequent disturbances enhances their resilience, according to Philip Riris and colleagues. The research analyzed 30,000 years of human history across 16 locations worldwide to quantify patterns of prehistoric population resistance to disturbances.
The findings reveal that frequent downturns increase the ability of populations to withstand and recover from disturbances. Land-use patterns, such as farming and herding societies, influence this effect. The study draws parallels with ecology, where natural disturbances are believed to enhance the long-term resilience of ecosystems.
The authors suggest that humanity’s long-term population growth may have been sustained by positive feedback cycles of vulnerability, resistance, and recovery. This study highlights the importance of resilience in shaping human societies throughout history and has implications for future population growth and resilience-building strategies.
