Ascensión, la isla desértica que se hizo selva

In the middle of the Atlantic Ocean, halfway between Africa and South America, there lies an island that was once uninhabited and considered "the abomination of desolation" 200 years ago. One writer described Ascension as producing only turtles, rats, and insomnia, while another called it the most barren and forsaken land they had ever seen, almost cursed by God.

Yet, the island's isolation has kept out any seeds of plant life until humans, specifically the British, settled there. One of its early residents lamented the lack of soil, shade, plants, and water. Despite its desolation, Ascension holds immense geostrategic importance since its discovery, and even the famous Charles Darwin, biologist, scientist, and revolutionary, visited the island.

Thanks to Darwin, as well as a history of bravery, courage, biology, and engineering, this improbable island could hold the key to combating desertification worldwide. A young Spanish scientist is working to prove this.