13. Revealing the social histories of ancient savannas and intact forests using a historical ecology approach in Central Africa

Misleading stories about the human causes of environmental degradation are a type of “received wisdom”, which permits researchers, decision-makers and NGOs to leave histories of ecosystems and natural processes unquestioned. In this study, we use a historical ecology approach to understand the social processes shaping an intact forest and an ancient savanna in Gabon. Using historical methods, interviews, and participant observation in relation to the ecology of key plant species in the landscape, we analyse how seemingly intact Okoumé forests were shaped by disease, trade and colonial resettlement policy. We then use these methods to understand the ways in which customary fire has shaped an ancient savanna landscape and its fire-dependent endemic species. Using an interdisciplinary approach enabled us to delve deeply into the social-historical processes shaping these ecosystems in ways that are not possible when using traditional, disciplinary approaches, and so to improve ecosystem-based policies.