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 largely a failure at X-Hazil Sur due to rains that were late in starting and less substantial than average 

 (Figure 2-4). As a result, plantings often were delayed or were repeated as fanners tried to adjust to 

 the unexpected conditions and still salvage a harvest. In the end, large numbers of gardeners simply 

 abandoned their fields and the meager crops. 



The impact of the hot, dry conditions in 1989 on the wildlife is unclear as several factors may 

 have affected wildlife populations. For example, fewer workers in the gardens and unharvested crops 

 abandoned in the gardens may have favored wildlife by reducing the number of potential hunters and 

 increasing the amount of food potentially available to wild animals. On the other hand, a decrease in 

 the amount of natural foods in the forest due to the dry conditions and an increase in the amount of 

 hunting by hunters seeking to compensate for the failed gardens, for example, may have had negative 

 impacts on wildlife populations. 



The 1989 crop failure, according to X-Hazil Sur residents, was attributable to Hurricane Gilbert, 

 the largest and strongest hurricane ever recorded by modem meteorological instruments (Anon. 1988; 

 Wilder, 1988). This hurricane swept across the Yucatan Peninsula on 14-15 September 1988, making 

 landfall about 175 km north of X-Hazil Sur. Strong winds and high seas caused major damage to both 

 coastal and inland areas as the storm moved west across the peninsula. The following year, the 

 Yucatan Peninsula suffered a serious drought. Local residents reported that extended dry seasons 

 usually occurred after previous hurricanes in the area, but had no explanation for the phenomenon. 

 Given the geographical position of the Yucatan Peninsula and the relatively high frequency of 

 hurricanes and other tropical storms in the area, crop failures of this nature, such as the one after 

 Hurricane Gilbert, probably occur every 10-20 y. 



The 1990 growing season was considered about average by Maya gardeners at X-Hazil Sur. 

 Heavy rains began in June during the customary period and continued through the growing season. As 

 a result, crops were planted and weeded during the usual time periods. The rains lessened in 

 December (Figure 2-4) and gardeners reported that an average com crop was harvested. 



