Old-growth tropical forests bear lasting legacy of ancient Maya civilization
Rainforests in Central America that have remained largely untouched by modern human activities could bear the invisible imprint of ancient Maya civilizations. New research has found that forest structure in Belize, such as canopy height and leaf density, may be influenced by how the Maya transformed and used the land thousands of years ago.
New research reveals ancient Maya civilization left lasting ecological imprint on Central American rainforests. Scientists from the Universities of Exeter and Texas Austin compared modern forest characteristics with remnants of Maya infrastructure using LiDAR scans in Belize. They found taller, more varied forests in areas previously used as wetland fields, while forests with higher canopies were often found near settlements and upland walls.
The study suggests Maya land management practices, like canal systems and building construction, may have shaped the structure of present-day rainforests. Lead author Dr. Sara Eshleman emphasizes that what we consider "pristine rainforest" might owe much of its structure to the Maya's stewardship of the land. The research suggests this ancient influence could extend to wider areas of the Maya Forest, potentially impacting tropical ecosystems across Central America.
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