Ancient Dry Spells Offer Clues About the Future of Drought

  • Released Monday, December 5, 2011
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New climate modeling shows that widespread deforestation in pre-Columbian Central America corresponded with decreased levels of precipitation.

Ancient Meso-American civilizations of the Mayans and Aztecs likely amplified droughts in the Yucatan and southern Mexico by clearing rainforests to make room for pastures and farmland.

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NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center

This page was originally published on Monday, December 5, 2011.
This page was last updated on Wednesday, May 3, 2023 at 1:53 PM EDT.

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  • Ancient Dry Spells Offer Clues About the Future of Drought (ID: 2011128)
    Monday, December 5, 2011 at 5:00AM