14 

 Natural Environment 



Quintana Roo (50,843 km^ is located along the east coast of the Yucatan Peninsula, between 

 n°49'-2l°3T N lautude and 86°44'-89°24' W longitude (Figure 2-1; Escobar Nava, 1986). To the 

 east lies the Caribbean Sea, to the west the Gulf of Mexico and the Mexican states of Yucatan and 

 Campeche, and to the south lie the countiies of Belize and Guatemala. 



Ecological characterization of Quintana Roo is incomplete. Studies have been conducted on 

 mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, vegetation, and soils, but much of this information has not been 

 updated in 30-50 years. Recent studies, however, include a statewide, botanical survey (Cabrera Cano 

 et al., 1982), an ecological assessment of the southern part of the state (Camarena-Luhrs and Salazar- 

 Vallejo, 1991), and an analysis of the biological diversity and economic aspects of the Sian Ka"an 

 Biosphere Reserve (Dachary and Amaiz Bume, 1989; Navarro L. and Robinson, 1990). The following 

 summary provides information relevant to an understanding of the natural and cultural factors affecting 

 subsistence hunting by Maya Indians in Quintana Roo. 



Geology and Physiography 



Quintana Roo is a flat, broad shelf of dolomite and limestone rock jutting north-northeast into 

 the Caribbean Sea (Lee. 1980; Wilson, 1980). The Yucatan Peninsula rises gradually to a maximum of 

 350 m along the western border with Campeche (Paynter, 1955a, 1955b; West, 1964). Bedrock 

 deposition began in the Eocene age (50 million years ago) and resulted in limestone and dolomite layers 

 that are several hundred meters thick (Bonet and Butterlin, 1962 [not seen, cited in Wilson, 1980]; 

 L6pez Ramos, 1973 [not seen, cited in Wilson, 1980]). Much of the surface limestone is thoroughly 

 karsted; sinkholes and small caves are common. 



Quintana Roo has three physiographic subdivisions (Wilson, 1980). The Coba District, the 

 northern half of the state, is a karsted plain with linear depressions, several large lakes, and an 

 abundance of small hills and depressions. The Rio Hondo District, the southern half of the state, is 



