{"id":790,"date":"2016-10-15T17:31:04","date_gmt":"2016-10-15T22:31:04","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.siankaanvillage.com\/blog\/?p=790"},"modified":"2016-11-30T17:49:49","modified_gmt":"2016-11-30T23:49:49","slug":"the-geography-of-the-sian-kaan-biosphere","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.siankaanvillage.com\/blog\/destination\/the-geography-of-the-sian-kaan-biosphere","title":{"rendered":"The Geography of the Sian Ka\u2019an Biosphere"},"content":{"rendered":"

Mayan for \u2018\u2018where the sky is born\u2019\u2019, the Sian Ka\u2019an Biosphere Reserve, which is located in the Yucatan peninsula, is Mexico\u2019s largest nature reserve, covering 1.3 million acres with a span of 120 kilometers (75 miles) that includes almost one-third of the country\u2019s Caribbean coast. \u00a0Home to tropical forests, sandy beaches, mangroves, wetlands, reefs, dunes and marshes, this biosphere preserve became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987 because of its diverse geography and wetlands, plus its high diversity of species of both flora and fauna within its delicate ecosystem. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

A Sacred Mayan Region<\/b><\/h2>\n

Known throughout the region as a magical place even in the present day, the Sian Ka\u2019an Biosphere was once a sacred area for the ancient Maya civilization, and is still home to two dozen known archaeological sites with artifacts. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Hummocks<\/b><\/h2>\n

\"Bike<\/p>\n

The land throughout the Sian Ka\u2019an reserve is relatively flat and does not have any significant changes in elevations. \u00a0Because Sian Ka\u2019an sits just slightly higher than sea level, even seemingly insignificant topographical changes can have a major impact on the landscape. \u00a0Amongst the most unique characteristics of the Sian Ka\u2019an Biosphere are it’s rare hummocks, which are low expanses of forest surrounded by marshes only found in Florida\u2019s Everglades, Cuba and the Yucatan. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Underground rivers<\/b><\/h2>\n

\"Underground<\/p>\n

The reserve is positioned on top of limestone subsoil, shallow soil in higher regions, and a water table close to the surface. \u00a0Underneath the Yucatan peninsula, there are caves which house underground rivers. \u00a0The rainwater that descends on the land filters into this cave system, which makes its way to the sea. \u00a0Topographic variations in the Sian Ka\u2019an Biosphere can cause flooding periods to differ, although during the rainy season most of the ground areas around the reserve are flooded, along with its shallow lagoons. \u00a0Fortunately, there are certain mangrove species present that help filter impure water that passes through, which naturally protects the nearby reef. \u00a0The level of flooding, plus the salinity of the water, largely influences the vegetation that will grow in any specific area.<\/span><\/p>\n

Mesoamerican Reef<\/b><\/h2>\n