Human impact on western Mediterranean mountains is gaining more attention, as they harbour a rich plant diversity threatened by global change. This paper presents an analysis of two pollen records from both sides of Sierra Nevada, the prime plant-diversity centre of the Mediterranean, spanning the last 5400 years. The analysis sought to answer the following key questions: When did natural systems transform to cultural landscapes? What was the intensity and extent of alterations driven by the diverse civilizations? A compilation of archaeological and paleaeoclimatic data supported this analysis, as well as a multi-proxy palaeoecological study using pollen, non-pollen palynomorphs and microcharcoal, searching for the imprint that diverse societies left on these mountains. Results suggest that human influences started earlier than expected, with a strong impact on forest cover, oriented more towards crops on the southern face and towards livestock on the northern one, whereas mining and metallurgy were initial key drivers of population dynamics. Irrigation has supported farming since at least the Islamic period. More recent anthropogenic control and land-use management have allowed a further spread of the tree cover. Proper conservation strategies need long-term perspectives, including palaeoecological studies. The preservation of traditional human activities like grazing, high-elevation cropping or irrigation systems become essential to maintain current biodiversity.

人类对地中海西部山区的影响越来越受到关注，因为它们拥有受全球变化威胁的丰富植物多样性。本文对内华达山脉两侧的两个花粉记录进行了分析，这是地中海近5400年的主要植物多样性中心。该分析试图回答以下关键问题：自然系统何时转变为文化景观？各种文明带来的变化的强度和程度是什么？考古和古气候数据的汇编，以及使用花粉，非花粉类植物和微木炭的多代古生态研究，为这一分析提供了支持，以寻找这些山上各种社会留下的烙印。结果表明，人类影响的开始时间早于预期，对森林覆盖的影响很大，更多的是面向南部的农作物和北部的牲畜，而采矿和冶金是人口动态的主要关键驱动力。至少从伊斯兰时代开始，灌溉就一直为农业提供支持。最近的人为控制和土地利用管理使树木的覆盖范围进一步扩大。正确的保护策略需要长期的眼光，包括古生态学研究。保护传统的人类活动，例如放牧，高海拔作物种植或灌溉系统，对于维持当前的生物多样性至关重要。至少从伊斯兰时代开始，灌溉就一直为农业提供支持。最近的人为控制和土地利用管理使树木的覆盖范围进一步扩大。正确的保护策略需要长期的眼光，包括古生态学研究。保护传统的人类活动，例如放牧，高海拔作物种植或灌溉系统，对于维持当前的生物多样性至关重要。至少从伊斯兰时代开始，灌溉就一直为农业提供支持。最近的人为控制和土地利用管理使树木的覆盖范围进一步扩大。正确的保护策略需要长期的眼光，包括古生态学研究。保护传统人类活动（如放牧，高海拔作物或灌溉系统）对于维持当前的生物多样性至关重要。