Spring 2006
These photographs were taken in May, 2006, nearly seven months after Hurricane Wilma directly struck the area. Not all are at the study site itself, but indicate conditions in the region.

Bulldozers from state and federal agencies are working to clear fire-breaks to manage wildfires that occur in dry, defoliated forest.
A recently-begun firebreak near Tizimín, Yucatán

Wildfires have burned large swathes of forest in the state. Although some have been caused by lightning, others resulted from seasonal pasture burning that got out of control.
The area immediately surrounding the reserve remains green. Note, however the number of large broken branches resulting from the 2005 hurricanes.

A natural part of the forest cycle along the Caribbean, hurricanes create openings in the canopy that will permit the growth of new young trees.
In the short term, though, large trees lying across roads create difficulties for human activity of any kind.