The biogeography and evolution of land ownership

Journal of Biogeography • Vol/Iss. 50(6) • Wiley-Blackwell Publishing Ltd • • Published In • Pages: 1129-1138 •
By Haynie, Hannah J., Kushnick, Geoff, Kavanagh, Patrick H. , Ember, Carol R., Bowern, Claire, Low, Bobbi S., Tuff, Ty, Vilela, Bruno, Kirby, Kathryn R. , Botero, Carlos A. , Gavin, Michael C.

Abstract

This study asks the following research questions: What are the dynamics of land ownership norms over time? Do these changes follow predetermined trajectories? The authors utilize biogeographical and evolutionary analyses to explore temporal and spatial patterns in land ownership norms within a sample of 73 Bantu societies. For the first component of the research, they test three prominent hypotheses regarding evolutionary trajectories: rectilinear, unilinear, and shift without restriction. For the second component, they use a multi-model inference approach to evaluate three hypotheses regarding the possible spatial patterns of land ownership. The results show evidence for the unilinear trajectory in type, but not with a consistent decrease in group ownership in size. Land ownership is more likely in areas with neighboring landowners and predictable resource productivity, while subsistence type is not significantly correlated with type of land ownership.

Samples

Sample Used Coded Data Comment
Ethnographic Atlas (EA)Combination73 societies that are part of the Bantu phylogeny.

Hypotheses (6)

HypothesisSupported
Societies will shift linearly across the stages of land ownership associated with subsistence strategies.Not supported
Societies will have a unilinear trajectory in which they can regress or progress across the four land ownership types.Supported
Societies will shift without any restriction across the four land ownership types.Supported
Land ownership norms will have both vertically and horizontally cultural transmission.Partially supported
Increased resource density and climate predictability will correlate positively with land ownership by individuals or groups.Partially supported
Certain subsistence strategies will be associated with specific land ownership norms.Marginally supported
Documents and Hypotheses Filed By: stefania.becerralavado