Plant-People coevolution

Introduction – Plant-People Coevolution

Plants are not merely useful adjuncts to human life, they are deeply ingrained in both our biological and cultural evolution – they contributed to the evolution of structures and functions of our bodies and the historical path of cultural development that has brought humanity to now.

Coevolution is a powerful expression of biological agency, the purposiveness or directedness that uniquely defines life as each species in the relationship derives benefit from the other as expressed in the biological axiom – the universal, objective, and ultimate predisposition of all organisms to survive, reproduce, and flourish.

In a coevolutionary relationship each party exerts selective pressures on the other, thereby affecting the other’s evolution. A popular example is the way that plants and their insect pollinators underwent reciprocal physical change as a result of their interaction; the way some orchid flowers, for example, mimic the forms of insects in order to attract pollinators or the way that selective pressures can drive an evolutionary arms race between two species. The evolution of plants and humans is a parallel reciprocal interaction.  The interaction of plants and humans was one in which the global reduction in plant diversity has resulted in human advantage.

Biological and cultural evolution are two crucially different kinds of evolution that need further explanation.

Historical background – Plant-People Coevolution

The historical development of the coevolution of humans and plants is a fascinating narrative that spans millions of years and has profoundly shaped the course of human civilization. The intricate relationship between humans and plants has evolved through various stages, from early hunter-gatherer societies relying on wild plant resources to the establishment of complex agricultural systems that transformed human societies worldwide. In this account, we will explore the key milestones in the historical development of the coevolution of humans and plants, highlighting the ways in which this relationship has influenced the cultural, social, and economic dynamics of human societies.

The origins of the coevolution between humans and plants can be traced back to the emergence of early humans as hunter-gatherers in ancient times. These early human ancestors relied heavily on wild plants for sustenance, gathering a diverse array of edible plant species to meet their nutritional needs. This period marked the beginning of the symbiotic relationship between humans and plants, as humans began to recognize the importance of plants as a vital source of food and sustenance.

As human populations expanded and communities became more settled, the transition to agriculture laid the foundation for the development of complex societies. The Neolithic Revolution, which occurred around 10,000 years ago, marked a pivotal moment in human history when early agricultural societies began to domesticate and cultivate plants for food production. This shift from a nomadic lifestyle to settled agricultural communities signified a significant step in the coevolution of humans and plants, as humans started to exert control over plant species through cultivation and selective breeding.

The domestication of plants played a central role in the development of agriculture, enabling humans to grow crops such as wheat, barley, rice, and maize that served as staple foods for growing populations. The cultivation of these crops led to the establishment of agricultural systems that supported larger populations and facilitated the growth of complex societies with specialized roles and hierarchical structures. The coevolution of humans and plants during this period involved the adaptation of both species to each other’s presence, with humans selecting and breeding plants with desirable traits while plants evolved to thrive in human-managed environments.

The spread of agriculture to different regions of the world gave rise to a diverse array of crop varieties and farming practices that were influenced by local environmental conditions and cultural traditions. As human societies evolved, so did their relationship with plants, leading to the development of diverse agricultural systems tailored to specific ecological niches and social contexts. The coevolution of humans and plants continued to shape human societies, influencing social organization, economic activities, and cultural practices.

Plants also played a crucial role in the development of ancient civilizations and empires, serving as the foundation of food security and economic prosperity. The cultivation of cash crops such as spices, tea, coffee, and cotton fueled trade networks and economic growth, leading to the rise of interconnected global economies centered around the production and exchange of plant resources. The coevolution of humans and plants in the context of trade and commerce has had a lasting impact on the development of human societies and the shaping of world history.

Moreover, the influence of plants on human health and medicine has been profound throughout history. Plants have long been recognized for their medicinal properties and have been used in traditional healing practices by cultures around the world. The coevolution of humans and plants in the realm of medicine has led to the discovery of plant-derived drugs and pharmaceutical compounds that have revolutionized healthcare and contributed to advancements in modern medicine.

The cultural significance of plants in human societies has also been a defining aspect of the coevolutionary relationship between humans and plants. Many plants have held symbolic and spiritual importance in various cultures, playing a central role in religious rituals, ceremonies, and cultural traditions. The coevolution of humans and plants has led to the development of diverse art forms, cuisines, and cultural practices that celebrate the beauty and diversity of plant life.

As human populations continue to grow and environmental challenges intensify, the need for sustainable and responsible stewardship of plant resources becomes ever more critical. The threats posed by climate change, habitat destruction, and biodiversity loss underscore the importance of preserving and protecting the coevolutionary relationship between humans and plants for the well-being of future generations. By recognizing the historical development of the coevolution of humans and plants and the profound impact it has had on human societies, we can cultivate a deeper appreciation for the intricate and interconnected web of life that sustains us all.

Biological evolution

Biological evolution can be defined as descent with modification as a result of heritable variation and differential reproduction among replicating individuals. This is a mechanical process of fine-tuning using feedback. It also a slow process involving the incremental adaptation of organisms to their environments that takes place as a result of mostly small biological changes that take place over millennia

The coevolution of plants and people has resulted in reciprocal biological change as humans domesticating plants have altered plant genetics to their own ends, first by selection, then by ever more sophisticated and penetrating genetic manipulation. Conversely, human dependence on plants, especially as food, has influenced the evolution of human senses and the digestive system.

Photosynthesis first occurred about 3.5 billion years ago but the seed plants we are most familiar with evolved much later – conifers over 300 million years ago, and flowering plants about 125 million years ago. On the human animal side mammals date back about 200 million years, the great apes about 14 million years, the genus Homo about 2 million years and our species, Homo sapiens, about 200,000 years.

Unsurprisingly, since plants have always been a major part of the human environment of evolutionary adaptation (EEA), there are many physical and psychological traits that we can attribute to plants. These are discussed in the article Plants make sense). Simply by being living organisms there are many vary similar biochemical pathways held in common. However, the specific innate human traits that have been related to evolutionary plant influences include: bipedalism, stereoscopic and colour vision, dentition, the digestive system, taste (sweet and sour), the biology of smell, and lactose tolerance.

universal (innate) human biological traits including: bipedalism, colour vision etc. (see Plants make sense). In contrast humans have, for most of the evolutionary history of plants, had little impact on plant biology, partly because of the relatively brief period of plant evolutionary history that has been occupied by humans and partly because of the small human populations that existed over the relatively brief evolutionary period that they have existed together. Human influence on plants has all been recent, beginning with the use of fire and interference with natural trophic cascades. By far the greatest human impact on plants has occurred in the last few hundred years as human social organization has become vastly more integrated and complex. Though there was a little genetic alteration, by selection over several millennia, and some geographic dispersal of crop plants this was minor compared with contemporary plant breeding, genetic engineering and Cultivated plant globalization of recent times.

Plants, then, are not just ‘useful’ to humans, they have been the source of major human biological and social transformation.

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Humans co-evolved with plants this strongly affecting our senses of taste, smell, digestive system and dentition, our emotional response to our surroundings, and possibly the initiating factor for the fact that we are bipedal and have colour vision. This is discussed further in the article Plants make sense
The following is a personal interpretation of the most significant historical factors.

We know that small changes at the beginning of a evolutionary process can have momentous long-term impacts. The following key transitions provide examples of this general historical principle.

The relationship between plants and people is one of coevolution.  Plants have influenced the evolution of the human sensory, digestive, and other organs (see plants make sense), while humans have modified plant genetics in the manufacture man-made or anthropogenic plants (cultigens).

Articles on biological coevolution examine the way plants have influenced our human biology (see plants make sense) and the way plants share with us their biological agency (see plant sense and life as agency).  Cultural evolution is examined through the lens of traditional historical factors such as social organization, technology, population growth and how humans have changed the distribution, specie composition, biomass, and genetics of plants. Using a scientific approach it employs a systematization of ideas that will stand the test of time by providing a foundation for future research. This is addressed in the article on plant classification.

In the course of the dialectic of human-environment adaptation selection pressure came first from nature (geography) and subsequently from culture (people and institutions).
Morris’s long-term temporal scale draws our attention to spatial scale as geography: small village settlements became towns, cities, city states and empires based around resources, mostly energy, firstly local but subsequently based around river valleys, then oceans. Energy and geography were the key determinants of where and when things happened over the long term. The question of why they happened at all is more a biological question about human nature.
Morris is modest about the role of historians. If we want to know why history is the way it is we need to look to biology – to human human nature; if we want to know how it works we need to look to sociology; and if we need to know where certain changes are likely to have occurred in the past then we should look to geography.
Geography, he argues, accounted for the origin of agriculture in the ‘lucky latitudes’ where there were plants and animals that could be domesticated in the amenable bioclimatic conditions that arose in these regions after the last Ice Age.

Timeline – Plant-People Coevolution

The relationship between plants and people is one of the oldest and most profound in human history. From the earliest days of our existence, plants have provided sustenance, shelter, medicine, and materials for tools and clothing. In turn, human activities such as agriculture, cultivation, and trade have shaped the distribution and evolution of plant species. This intricate dance of coevolution has not only influenced the physical landscape but has also played a crucial role in shaping human culture and society.

Timeline of Major Historical Events:

Prehistoric Era (10,000 BCE – 3,000 BCE):
Early hunter-gatherer societies relied on foraging for wild plants for food and resources.
The transition to agriculture around 10,000 BCE marked a significant shift in human-plant interactions, leading to the domestication of crops such as wheat, barley, and rice.
The cultivation of plants enabled settled communities to form, laying the foundation for the development of complex societies.

Ancient Civilizations (3,000 BCE – 500 CE):
Ancient civilizations such as Mesopotamia, Egypt, and China developed sophisticated agricultural systems, harnessing the power of plants for food production and trade.
The exchange of crops and agricultural knowledge along trade routes like the Silk Road facilitated cultural exchange and the spread of new plant species.
Plants like cotton, sugarcane, and spices played a crucial role in shaping economies and cultural practices.

Middle Ages (500 CE – 1500 CE):
The medieval period saw the rise of feudalism and the manorial system, with peasants cultivating crops for the nobility.
The Crusades brought back exotic plants and spices from the Middle East, fueling a demand for luxury goods in Europe.
The Black Death in the 14th century led to labor shortages, prompting innovations in agriculture and the adoption of new crop varieties.

Age of Exploration (15th – 18th centuries):
European explorers like Christopher Columbus and Vasco da Gama introduced new plants to the Old World, such as maize, potatoes, and tomatoes.
The Columbian Exchange facilitated the global exchange of plants, animals, and diseases, transforming ecosystems and diets around the world.
Plantations in the Americas exploited indigenous labor to cultivate crops like tobacco, sugar, and coffee, shaping the course of colonial history.

Industrial Revolution (18th – 19th centuries):
The Industrial Revolution brought about mechanization and the mass production of food, leading to the consolidation of agricultural land and the displacement of rural communities.
Advances in plant breeding and genetics revolutionized crop yields and diversity, laying the groundwork for modern agriculture.
The Green Revolution of the mid-20th century introduced high-yielding crop varieties and synthetic fertilizers, transforming global food production.

Modern Era (20th century – present):
The rise of agribusiness and monoculture farming practices has led to concerns about biodiversity loss, soil degradation, and environmental pollution.
The growing awareness of sustainable agriculture and organic farming has sparked a renewed interest in traditional plant knowledge and practices.
Biotechnological innovations like genetically modified crops offer new possibilities for addressing food security and climate change challenges.

Relevance to Human Cultural Evolution: The coevolution of plants and people has had a profound impact on human cultural evolution, shaping our diets, traditions, beliefs, and social structures. The cultivation and consumption of plants have not only sustained our physical existence but have also enriched our cultural heritage in myriad ways.

Food and Cuisine:
The diversity of plant species cultivated by different societies has given rise to a rich tapestry of culinary traditions and flavors.
Staple crops like rice, wheat, and maize form the foundation of global diets, while regional specialties showcase the unique flavors and cooking techniques associated with specific plants.

Medicine and Healing:
Plants have long been used for medicinal purposes, with indigenous cultures around the world harnessing the healing properties of herbs and botanicals.
Traditional medicine systems like Ayurveda, Traditional Chinese Medicine, and Indigenous healing practices emphasize the interconnectedness of plants and human health.

Rituals and Ceremonies:
Plants play a central role in religious and spiritual practices, symbolizing fertility, renewal, and connection to the natural world.
Sacred plants like tobacco, peyote, and ayahuasca are used in traditional ceremonies to facilitate spiritual experiences and healing.

Art and Aesthetics:
Plants have inspired artists, poets, and designers throughout history, serving as motifs in paintings, sculptures, textiles, and architecture.
Botanical gardens and horticultural displays showcase the beauty and diversity of plant life, fostering appreciation for the natural world.

The coevolution of plants and people is a testament to the intricate interplay between humans and the natural world. From the dawn of agriculture to the present day, plants have shaped human societies and cultures in profound ways, influencing our diets, economies, beliefs, and artistic expressions. As we navigate the challenges of the 21st century, it is essential to recognize the importance of sustainable plant-human interactions and to preserve the diversity of plant species for future generations to come (AI Co-Pilot July 2024).