NASA | Ancient Dry Spells Offer Clues About the Future of Drought

The video explores how deforestation by the Aztec and Mayan civilizations may have exacerbated droughts, contributing to their decline. As European settlers arrived, indigenous populations decreased, allowing forests to regrow and resulting in a wetter climate. Scientists suggest that the conversion of farmland to forest altered sunlight reflectance, affecting local climate. Climate records from cave formations support these findings, showing reduced rainfall during the Maya collapse. Today, similar deforestation could lead to prolonged droughts in Central America.

How did deforestation affect the Aztec and Mayan civilizations?

• It increased agricultural productivity.

• It caused population growth.

• It improved trade routes.

• It led to intensified periods of drought.

What was the effect of forest regrowth after the arrival of Europeans?

• It increased deforestation.

• It led to a drier climate.

• It caused a decrease in temperature.

• It resulted in a wetter climate.

How did the conversion from farmland to forest affect the climate?

• It decreased the surface reflectance of sunlight.

• It caused a rise in sea levels.

• It increased the surface reflectance of sunlight.

• It had no effect on the climate.

What do climate records from cave formations indicate about the Maya collapse?

• No change in climate.

• Increased rainfall during the collapse.

• Stable rainfall levels.

• Reduced rainfall levels.

What could be the future impact of deforestation in Central America?

• Prolonged future droughts.

• Increased agricultural land.

• Stable climate conditions.

• Improved biodiversity.