The study reveals some tropical areas the impact it had 2,000 years ago the Mayan civilization in the environment of the region, while the consequences of it can be seen today, says a new study from the University of Texas, USA .
"Most sources speak about the human impact on the environment since the Industrial Revolution, but we investigate on a deeper story. Although there is no doubt that the damage accelerated the last century, it had its beginnings long before ", explains Professor of Geography and Environment at the University of Texas and author of the study , Tim Beach.
Analyzing the impact of the Maya in climate, vegetation, hydrology and lithosphere (rocks and soil), the researchers found that their Advanced rural and urban infrastructure affected the ecosystem of major tropical forests. Thus, wetland soil containing high levels of carbon isotopes due to agriculture and corn production, while the amount of phosphorus in the sediments increased from 3 to 4 times during that time.
However, the visual indication of human impact was found in their attempts to modify the natural landscape. "The geochemical changes indicate that some wetlands were natural, while others were created to cultivate the crops away from the villages," the report said.
"You can learn a lot from how the Maya responded to rising sea levels and created artificial fields for agriculture," says Beach and explains that many tropical lowlands there still remain influenced by the activities of the Maya, as they have wetlands and structures that time. "The work speaks of history and the complexity of human interactions with nature," concludes the investigation.
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