Uncovering widespread Anthropocene dietary shifts in Chinese large mammalian herbivores

The Anthropocene's human-dominated habitat expansion endangers global biodiversity. However, large mammalian herbivores experienced few extinctions during the 20th century, hinting at potentially overlooked ecological responses of a group sensitive to global change. Using dental microwear as a proxy, we studied large herbivore dietary niches over a century across mainland China before (1880s-1910s) and after (1970s-1990s) the human population explosion. We uncovered widespread and significant shifts (interspecific microwear differences increased and intraspecific microwear dispersion expanded) within dietary niches linked to geographical areas with rapid industrialization and population growth in eastern China. By contrast, in western China, where human population growth was slower, we found no indications of shifts in herbivore dietary niches. Further regression analysis links the intensity of microwear changes to human land-use expansion. These analyses highlight dietary adjustments of large herbivores as a likely key factor in their adaptation across a century of large-scale human-driven changes. The study examined dietary shifts in Chinese large mammalian herbivores during the Anthropocene period using dental microwear as a proxy. The researchers found widespread and significant shifts in dietary niches, particularly in areas with rapid industrialization and population growth in eastern China. These shifts were linked to human land-use expansion. The study highlights the importance of dietary shifts in the adaptation of large herbivores to a changing world influenced by human activities.image