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Learning from the Ancient Maya: Exploring the Impact of Drought on Population Dynamics

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  • Kuil, Linda
  • Carr, Gemma
  • Prskawetz, Alexia
  • Salinas, José Luis
  • Viglione, Alberto
  • Blöschl, Günter

Abstract

Understanding the relationship between drought and population dynamics is increasingly important, particularly in areas where high population growth corresponds with increasing drought risk due to climate change. We examine the relationship between drought events and population dynamics using a stylized hydrology-demography model that has been calibrated to simulate plausible feedbacks for the population decline of the Ancient Maya of Central America. We employ a deterministic and a stochastic approach.

Suggested Citation

  • Kuil, Linda & Carr, Gemma & Prskawetz, Alexia & Salinas, José Luis & Viglione, Alberto & Blöschl, Günter, 2019. "Learning from the Ancient Maya: Exploring the Impact of Drought on Population Dynamics," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 157(C), pages 1-16.
  • Handle: RePEc:eee:ecolec:v:157:y:2019:i:c:p:1-16
    DOI: 10.1016/j.ecolecon.2018.10.018
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    3. Cremades, Roger & Sanchez-Plaza, Anabel & Hewitt, Richard J & Mitter, Hermine & Baggio, Jacopo A. & Olazabal, Marta & Broekman, Annelies & Kropf, Bernadette & Tudose, Nicu Constantin, 2021. "Guiding cities under increased droughts: The limits to sustainable urban futures," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 189(C).
    4. Amir Molajou & Parsa Pouladi & Abbas Afshar, 2021. "Incorporating Social System into Water-Food-Energy Nexus," Water Resources Management: An International Journal, Published for the European Water Resources Association (EWRA), Springer;European Water Resources Association (EWRA), vol. 35(13), pages 4561-4580, October.
    5. Langarudi, Saeed P. & Maxwell, Connie M. & Bai, Yining & Hanson, Austin & Fernald, Alexander, 2019. "Does Socioeconomic Feedback Matter for Water Models?," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 159(C), pages 35-45.

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