Physical settings, environmental history with an outlook on global change

Abstract

The objective of this chapter is to offer a short but comprehensive overview of the Yucatán Peninsula, its karstic landscapes and soil types. In this chapter, we will also provide insights regarding Maya nomenclature associated with these physical characteristics. We include information on the hydrology of the Yucatán Peninsula (principally geohydrology) and regional climatic patterns (ITCZ, the North Atlantic and teleconnections). From this point of reference, we will explain the peculiarities of the peninsula, including a brief description of the origins of its vegetation distribution. Following this, we will present a paleoenvironmental and historic framework with a cultural focus, together with information on the uses and management of the natural resources by the Maya while explaining modifications of their environment. We will then include an analysis on global change based on data from the IPCC (Intergovernamental Panel on Climate Change) related to drivers of climatic change in the region such as deforestation, forest fires, hurricanes and changes in sea level. We will explain how these factors have influenced the loss of biodiversity and contributed to global change.