Reclaiming the past to respond to climate change: Mayan farmers and ancient agricultural techniques in the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico

Study of the Effects of Heating on Organic Matter and Mineral Phases in Limestones

“…e temperature which is reached in this traditional practice has a nonuniform pattern with high temperatures from 300 °C to 700 °C and even higher. Repeated burning and extreme heating lead to long-term cumulative thermal damage of the limestone integrity [37].…”

Potential of Rainwater Harvesting in a Thirsty World: A Survey of Ancient and Traditional Rainwater Harvesting Applications

“…Stored and regulated flow of rainwater, runoff, and ephemeral streams behind large storage systems that are constructed around foots of hill slopes. Fish et al 1990;Harrison 1977;Hudson 1987;Kunen et al 2000;Lightfoot 1994Lightfoot , 1996 Luzzadder-(Continues) et al 1971;Faust et al 2012;Ghoddousi 1995;Hudson 1987;Laureano 2001;Lightfoot 2013;Macias Hernandes 2008;Neely (in press); Oweis et al 2012;Prinz 1996;Zhou et al 2011;Zimmerer 1995 (14) Dams Han 2007;Laureano 2001;Scarborough 2003;Scarborough and Tankersley (unpub. ) and runoff diversion systems.…”

“…In light of these findings and because the livelihood of considerable portion of humanity still depends on traditional agricultural techniques and on local agricultural output (Alexandratos ; Laureano ), it is the premise of this paper that largely forgotten ancient and traditional low‐technology rainwater harvesting practices could offer easy‐to‐adopt strategies for increasing food and water security in climatically vulnerable regions. Scientists and governments are already beginning to pay close attention to environmentally sound, low‐technology rainwater harvesting techniques, and sustainable land‐use practices (Akpinar Ferrand and Scarborough ; Bruins et al ; Faust et al ; Hudson ; Laureano ).…”

“…Today, rainwater harvesting systems are mostly abandoned as a result of centralization of water resources, including increased groundwater extraction abilities and the diversion of available surface water over long distances through the damming and channeling of rivers. This practice has proved unsustainable in many regions; especially for tropical areas with large populations of small farmers who frequently lose access to water with modernization (Agarwal and Narain ; Castro et al ; Faust et al ).…”

Rainwater Harvesting as an Effective Climate Change Adaptation Strategy in Rural and Urban Settings

“…Modern experiments also reveal the possibility for aquaculture in these ponds, adding to their promise to increase food security (Flores-Nava 1994; Zambrano et al 1999;Akpinar Ferrand and Scarborough 2012). Given the agricultural water usage and shortage statistics from ancient Maya settings like Mexico, integration of past rainwater harvesting technologies may offer tremendous potential for rural populations plagued by water insecurity and erratic rainfall (National water commission of Mexico (NWC) 2010; Akpinar Ferrand and Scarborough 2012;Faust et al 2012;Akpinar Ferrand and Cecunjanin 2014). UNESCO (2012) reports that there is serious water demand cast by increasing urban populations and industrial activities.…”