Tourisms effect on the environment of Cancun, Mexico

Environment

The Yucatan Peninsula, located on the southeastern portion of Mexico, is a large section of land jutting outward into the Gulf of Mexico. Flat and arid, its unique geology allows for large swaths of semi-tropical rainforests in the northeast corner. Its climate reflects the fact it is surrounded on three sides by warm tropical seas but even though it is a part of a much larger land bridge connecting North and South America, most species within the Yucatan are endemic, found no where else on earth. This unique area is threatened by human development, ruining the very beauty that spurred that same development.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Yucatan_peninsula_250m.jpg
The above image shows that while connected to Central America, the northern reaches of the Yucatan Peninsula are very isolated.

The geology of the Yucatan is unique than in other areas of Mexico. This is due to the fact that, for the most part, the peninsula was once a shallow sea during the Miocene and Pliocene eras 1.8 or so million years ago. Geologically speaking, that was a relatively short time ago and all of the rock strata that affect the topography now are around that same age as well. The main rock types in the peninsula were formed during that time. They include: limestone, dolomite, and other evaporates. Because of the high rainfalls in the northern regions, most of these evaporates have been chemically weathered to form an intense network of caverns. Karst Land (areas with high concentration of caves) is a key factor when considering the Yucatan’s environment.

www.backyardnature.net/yucatan/fossils.jpg
Riddled with fossils, Yucatan Limestone shows empirical evidence that its creation was due to oceanic deposition.

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/206/500136284_ee82db2009.jpg
Outcroppings like this show the geology of the peninsula as uniform.

The karst in the Yucatan is widespread. So widespread that when it does rain, most if it flows into these underground channels and forms a vast aquifer. Clues to this aquifer exist in the forms of “cenotes” or sinkholes. Cenotes are simply sinkholes but the difference is all cenotes in the Yucatan are filled with water. It is this water that feeds the jungles of the north and civilization, including the Maya. Also, since the caverns are intersecting, these underground waterways flow through out the north. Flora has evolved longer root systems in the Yucatan to tap into the underground water reservoirs. While cave diving, divers must navigate roots along with the winding channels of water.

www.laventa.it/images/yucatan1.jpg
A typical view just 30 feet below the surface, the Yucatan is permeated by caves.

http://specieslist.com/images/yucatan/pictures/web-cenotes_caves/cenotes165.jpg
Speleothems do not grow when below the waterline. This image proves that the waterline is not static.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Cenote_swimming.jpg
The climate of the Yucatan is hot and humid. Cenotes are common and a few provide a very welcome break from the temperatures and a diversion from the everyday hustle and bustle of cities like Cancun.

The flora and fauna of the Yucatan are diverse. 10% of which are found no where else. The Northwestern area of the peninsula contains the most diversity, due to its rainforests and peculiar geology. Since there are no rivers and almost no lakes there (because all of the water flows underground) species had to evolve to coop to that change. Most tree species found in the northern reaches of the peninsula extend their roots to tap the underground river systems. These forest types have been dubbed “Thorn Forests.” Thorns protect most of the vegetation from herbivores grazing on their leaves. Those leaves contain water and in an otherwise barren area (again, most of the water is underground) this is another example of plants coping in this environment.

http://pws.byu.edu/pas100/rainforest.htm

http://www.surfbirds.com/mb/Trip%20Reports/media/yucatan/dry-forest.jpg
Both images above show the typical under-canopy of the Yucatan’s dry forest.

Limestone is not always permeable in some areas and “aguadas,” which are essentially perched water tables on impermeable rock, give rise to wetlands. These wetlands are rare, however, and are ecological islands surrounded by huge swaths of semi-tropical rainforest. Thus, like all areas of wetlands around the globe, the wetlands here are also very fragile and easily disturbed. On the fringes of land on the coasts of the Yucatan, mangrove forests use to be found virtually everywhere. That has changed because of coastal development but examples can still be found. These forests provide a protective nursery to many of the fish species around those coasts and their protection is essential to that ecosystem.

http://www.mayantrail.com/images/200702151353130.Humedal%20Laguna%20del%20Tigre%20Francois%20Herrera.jpg
This aguada wetland is surrounded by subtropical rainforest.

http://www.mongabay.com/images/2005/2005-11-11_mangroves.jpg
The submerged roots of a mangrove tree can provide a crucial habitat for fish fry which are trying to avoid the predatory dangers of open water.

Once isolated, all of these areas are now threatened by the large scale growth in the areas. The large influx of people are drawing out vast amounts of groundwater, lowering the water table and collapsing some cavern systems all together. These systems are not only important to the ecosystem but to civilization as well, particularly to the indigenous populations. Migratory workers and immigrants are residing on the outskirts of an ever growing tourist center. Just like the Indonesian migratory workers in Irian Jiya, These workers too are now extensively logging the forests for fuel, building material, and agriculture. The mangroves and peténs (island wetlands found around the coastal areas) are at considerable risk. However, by following Cancun’s model, other fishing villages are giving up there old practices and switching to tourism, clearing these important natural fish hatcheries for hotel and condo development.

References

Beletsky, Les. “Tropical Mexico” Text 1999 Academic Press. 24-28 Oval Road, London NW1 7DX, UK (04/20/08)

Ward, W. C., and A. E. Weidie, eds. 1978. Geology and hydrogeology of northeastern Yucatan. New Orleans Geological Society. New Orleans, LA. (04/20/08)

Quintana Roo Speleological Survey “A Condensed Geological Chronicle of the Yucatan Platform” September 26th, 2001 http://www.caves.org/project/qrss/geo.htm (04/20/08)

Jim Conrad “An Overview of the Geology of the Northern Yucatan.” http://www.backyardnature.net/yucatan/geology~.htm (04/20/08)

Jim Conrad “Cenotes and the Chicxulub Crater.” Naturalist Newsletter January 2nd, 2005 http://www.backyardnature.net/yucatan/chixcrat.htm (04/20/08)

Effects of tourism on the economy, population and environment of Cancun, Mexico

Home

Environment

Population

Economy

Pollution

Conclusion

Tourisms effect on the environment of Cancun, Mexico

Environment

References


Home Environment Population Economy Pollution Conclusion		Tourisms effect on the environment of Cancun, Mexico Environment The Yucatan Peninsula, located on the southeastern portion of Mexico, is a large section of land jutting outward into the Gulf of Mexico. Flat and arid, its unique geology allows for large swaths of semi-tropical rainforests in the northeast corner. Its climate reflects the fact it is surrounded on three sides by warm tropical seas but even though it is a part of a much larger land bridge connecting North and South America, most species within the Yucatan are endemic, found no where else on earth. This unique area is threatened by human development, ruining the very beauty that spurred that same development. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Yucatan_peninsula_250m.jpg The above image shows that while connected to Central America, the northern reaches of the Yucatan Peninsula are very isolated. The geology of the Yucatan is unique than in other areas of Mexico. This is due to the fact that, for the most part, the peninsula was once a shallow sea during the Miocene and Pliocene eras 1.8 or so million years ago. Geologically speaking, that was a relatively short time ago and all of the rock strata that affect the topography now are around that same age as well. The main rock types in the peninsula were formed during that time. They include: limestone, dolomite, and other evaporates. Because of the high rainfalls in the northern regions, most of these evaporates have been chemically weathered to form an intense network of caverns. Karst Land (areas with high concentration of caves) is a key factor when considering the Yucatan’s environment. www.backyardnature.net/yucatan/fossils.jpg Riddled with fossils, Yucatan Limestone shows empirical evidence that its creation was due to oceanic deposition. http://farm1.static.flickr.com/206/500136284_ee82db2009.jpg Outcroppings like this show the geology of the peninsula as uniform. The karst in the Yucatan is widespread. So widespread that when it does rain, most if it flows into these underground channels and forms a vast aquifer. Clues to this aquifer exist in the forms of “cenotes” or sinkholes. Cenotes are simply sinkholes but the difference is all cenotes in the Yucatan are filled with water. It is this water that feeds the jungles of the north and civilization, including the Maya. Also, since the caverns are intersecting, these underground waterways flow through out the north. Flora has evolved longer root systems in the Yucatan to tap into the underground water reservoirs. While cave diving, divers must navigate roots along with the winding channels of water. www.laventa.it/images/yucatan1.jpg A typical view just 30 feet below the surface, the Yucatan is permeated by caves. http://specieslist.com/images/yucatan/pictures/web-cenotes_caves/cenotes165.jpg Speleothems do not grow when below the waterline. This image proves that the waterline is not static. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Cenote_swimming.jpg The climate of the Yucatan is hot and humid. Cenotes are common and a few provide a very welcome break from the temperatures and a diversion from the everyday hustle and bustle of cities like Cancun. The flora and fauna of the Yucatan are diverse. 10% of which are found no where else. The Northwestern area of the peninsula contains the most diversity, due to its rainforests and peculiar geology. Since there are no rivers and almost no lakes there (because all of the water flows underground) species had to evolve to coop to that change. Most tree species found in the northern reaches of the peninsula extend their roots to tap the underground river systems. These forest types have been dubbed “Thorn Forests.” Thorns protect most of the vegetation from herbivores grazing on their leaves. Those leaves contain water and in an otherwise barren area (again, most of the water is underground) this is another example of plants coping in this environment. http://pws.byu.edu/pas100/rainforest.htm http://www.surfbirds.com/mb/Trip%20Reports/media/yucatan/dry-forest.jpg Both images above show the typical under-canopy of the Yucatan’s dry forest. Limestone is not always permeable in some areas and “aguadas,” which are essentially perched water tables on impermeable rock, give rise to wetlands. These wetlands are rare, however, and are ecological islands surrounded by huge swaths of semi-tropical rainforest. Thus, like all areas of wetlands around the globe, the wetlands here are also very fragile and easily disturbed. On the fringes of land on the coasts of the Yucatan, mangrove forests use to be found virtually everywhere. That has changed because of coastal development but examples can still be found. These forests provide a protective nursery to many of the fish species around those coasts and their protection is essential to that ecosystem. http://www.mayantrail.com/images/200702151353130.Humedal%20Laguna%20del%20Tigre%20Francois%20Herrera.jpg This aguada wetland is surrounded by subtropical rainforest. http://www.mongabay.com/images/2005/2005-11-11_mangroves.jpg The submerged roots of a mangrove tree can provide a crucial habitat for fish fry which are trying to avoid the predatory dangers of open water. Once isolated, all of these areas are now threatened by the large scale growth in the areas. The large influx of people are drawing out vast amounts of groundwater, lowering the water table and collapsing some cavern systems all together. These systems are not only important to the ecosystem but to civilization as well, particularly to the indigenous populations. Migratory workers and immigrants are residing on the outskirts of an ever growing tourist center. Just like the Indonesian migratory workers in Irian Jiya, These workers too are now extensively logging the forests for fuel, building material, and agriculture. The mangroves and peténs (island wetlands found around the coastal areas) are at considerable risk. However, by following Cancun’s model, other fishing villages are giving up there old practices and switching to tourism, clearing these important natural fish hatcheries for hotel and condo development. References Beletsky, Les. “Tropical Mexico” Text 1999 Academic Press. 24-28 Oval Road, London NW1 7DX, UK (04/20/08) Ward, W. C., and A. E. Weidie, eds. 1978. Geology and hydrogeology of northeastern Yucatan. New Orleans Geological Society. New Orleans, LA. (04/20/08) Quintana Roo Speleological Survey “A Condensed Geological Chronicle of the Yucatan Platform” September 26th, 2001 http://www.caves.org/project/qrss/geo.htm (04/20/08) Jim Conrad “An Overview of the Geology of the Northern Yucatan.” http://www.backyardnature.net/yucatan/geology~.htm (04/20/08) Jim Conrad “Cenotes and the Chicxulub Crater.” Naturalist Newsletter January 2nd, 2005 http://www.backyardnature.net/yucatan/chixcrat.htm (04/20/08)