Paleopedological evidence of human-induced environmental change in the Puebla – Tlaxcala area (Mexico) during the last 3,500 years

Abstract

A review of research on human-induced environmental change in the Puebla–Tlaxcala area of Mexico for the past 3,500 years is presented. The human impact on the soil environment is felt and registered in form of increasing sedimentation rates causing colluvial accumulation on mid-slopes, foot-slope cones and alluvial fills in valleys. Land-use changes related to cyclic political developments were the driver of environmental changes. Climatic conditions (e.g., rainfall variability, drought) had no primary effect on accelerated soil erosion. In central Mexico phases of soil erosion were asynchronous both in time and in space.