Ascension Island: How a planting project created a lush cloud forest
In the middle of nowhere, a small island emerges in the Atlantic Ocean. This unique territory completely changed in the 19th century thanks to the efforts of two British scientists: Charles Darwin and Joseph Dalton Hooker, researchers who stopped at the British naval base and documented the island during their expeditions.
Nestled in the Atlantic Ocean, Ascension Island underwent a remarkable transformation in the 19th century, evolving from a barren volcanic landscape into a lush cloud forest. This dramatic shift was the result of a deliberate planting project orchestrated by two British scientists, Charles Darwin and Joseph Dalton Hooker, who recognized the island's potential to harness the moisture of the clouds.
The project involved planting seeds sourced from botanical gardens across the British Empire's colonies, with the aim of transforming the island's environment. Over the course of five decades, this meticulous effort successfully altered Ascension from a sun-scorched terrain to a verdant rainforest.
Scientists at Pompeu Fabra University are now studying this unique case, focusing on the reverse process that has taken place on Ascension. Dr. Víctor Maull, who recently completed his Ph.D. in this field, explains that the island serves as an exceptional example of an ecosystem that has undergone reversal, a phenomenon rarely observed in nature.
The research team, comprising Dr. Maull and Nastassia Knödlseder, spent a month on Ascension to study the island from historical, ecological, and microbiological perspectives. They examined historical documents, including nautical charts, logbooks, and letters from the British naval base, to understand the engineering process behind the island's transformation. The team also analyzed the soil microbiome, which they consider the foundation of any ecosystem, to gain insights into the rapid changes that occurred.
Dr. Maull emphasizes that this study offers an opportunity to understand how to reverse ecosystem collapse, providing valuable insights for preserving biodiversity and addressing the challenges posed by climate change. The findings from Ascension Island may offer solutions to help other ecosystems that are currently deteriorating.
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