Humans & Biosphere (HABCOM)
Humans & Biosphere (HABCOM)
The Humans and Biosphere Commission (HABCOM) promotes cross-disciplinary research on human-environment interactions and responses during Quaternary climate and environmental changes.
HABCOM focuses on understanding the dynamical relationship between humans and their environment, emphasizing the impacts of Quaternary climate and palaeoenvironmental changes on organisms (individuals, communities, species) and ecosystem resilience. The Commission promotes innovative cross-disciplinary research and fosters communication among palaeoecology, archaeology, anthropology, geology and palaeoanthropology, including experts in the study of cultural processes. This collaboration aims to deepen insights into human responses to global and regional changes.
A related goal is to provide a unified framework for exchanging information between palaeoecologists and contemporary ecologists working to understand global change issues. The Commission promotes interchange among specialists from all world nations, involving young and early career scientists and those from low and middle-income countries. Current/recent projects include multi-country teams working on Mapping Ancient Africa (integrating palaeoclimate, climate modelling, palynology and archaeology), exploring the Palaeolithic ‘Out of Africa’ story including much public outreach (PalaeoHome), and the settlement effect of peat in Indonesia. Beyond this, recent projects have focused on developing and utilizing databases of palaeoecology and/or geo-archaeology, particularly in regions traditionally less well-represented.
Looking ahead to the 2027 Congress in Lucknow, India, the HABCOM team is actively strategizing a series of initiatives to grow the global community of human biosphere researchers. These initiatives include a podcast series and enhancing outreach through collaborative seminars with other Commissions, promoting diverse perspectives in human biosphere research. Members are encouraged to contribute to these efforts, advancing HABCOM’s mission to connect science and society meaningfully.
Projects
HABCOM
Secretary
Prabhin Sukumaran
Charotar University Of Science And Technology, India
Vice President
Shanti Pappu
Sharma Centre For Heritage Education , 28 Ist Main Road, C.I.T.Colony, Mylapore, Chennai 600004 & No.4, School Street, Sholinganallore, Chennai, India
Vice President
Rathnasiri Premathilake
University Of Kelaniya, 407, Bauddhaloka Mawatha, Colombo 7, Sri Lanka
Advisory Board Member
Naama Goren-Inbar
The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel
Advisory Board Member
Lyudmila Shumilovskikh
Georg-August-University Göttingen, Germany
Advisory Board Member
Xiaoling Zhang
Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
XXI INQUA Congress July 2023 Abstract BookThere is a publication with *all of the Abstracts* presented at INQUA Roma 2023!! The abstracts are presented in a clickable form in a book published by the Sapienza University of Rome! The DOI for…
Living On the Water Towards 2100 – Sea level Science in VeniceVenice has been facing challenges from its coastal environment since it was founded. Sedimentation has threatened its vital waterways in the past, and subsidence along with high waters began affecting buildings and streets. Today, rising…
16th International Geochronology Summer School 2025The 16th International Geochronology Summer School 2025 – Dating Techniques in Environmental Research will be held between 31 August to 4 September 2025 in Morteratsch (Pontresina, Engadine, Switzerland). For more details visit the website.
Paleopedology Newsletter Issue 35 is now out!The Paleopedology Newsletter is a collaborative initiative of the IUSS Commission 1.6 – Paleopedology and the INQUA Paleopedology Working Group. Stay updated on the latest events, research advances, and upcoming opportunities in paleopedology. For…
INQUA-SEQS MeetingQuaternary stratigraphy and Quaternary maps as a base to understand the environment of mankind.
Workshop on Palaeosoil Analysis in Late Glacial Sandy Terrains Across EuropeThe multidisciplinary international team of the INQUA Project PAST invites you to participate in a workshop focused on Late Glacial palaeosoils in sandy terrains across Europe.
Scientific Journals
