A Remarkable Transformation: Ascension Island's Eco-Engineering
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Chapter 1: The Initial State of Ascension Island
Dominating the landscape of Ascension Island is Green Mountain, its tallest peak rising over 2,800 feet. This mountain is now home to a dense cloud forest, but it wasn’t always so lush. Historically, Ascension Island was barren and nearly lifeless.
Charles Darwin's visit in 1836 revealed an island that he found disappointing, describing it as arid and lacking in vegetation, with only a few herds of grazing animals. The island's infrastructure focused heavily on water retention, with meticulously designed gardens and rainwater cisterns. Darwin noted:
Everything on the island functions so that a single drop of water may not be lost: indeed the whole island may be compared to a huge ship kept in first-rate order.
A local saying from nearby Saint Helena captured the sentiment:
We know we live on a rock, but the poor people at Ascension live on a cinder.
At that time, Ascension was essentially a volcanic wasteland, but change was on the horizon.
Section 1.1: Joseph Hooker's Vision
Sir Joseph Dalton Hooker, born in 1817, emerged as a prominent explorer and an early supporter of Darwin’s theories on natural selection. His expeditions to places like Antarctica and the Himalayas led him to document many unique plants. Hooker visited Ascension Island in 1843 and observed the same lifeless landscape that had disappointed Darwin.
Upon returning to England, Hooker envisioned a transformative project. With Ascension's ample rainfall and mild climate, he believed that imported flora could thrive. Hooker and Darwin agreed that the island could be revitalized.
Hooker organized the shipment of numerous plants and trees to Ascension, focusing on areas around Green Mountain. His subsequent role as Director of the Royal Botanical Gardens at Kew provided him with the resources necessary for this ambitious endeavor.
Section 1.2: The Eco-Engineering Initiative
The aim of Hooker's project was to enhance the island's rainfall. Introducing more vegetation would help stabilize the loose volcanic soil and create more opportunities for rain to collect rather than being absorbed by the dry earth. By increasing the rainfall, Ascension could evolve from a barren landscape into a tropical haven.
Over the following years, extensive efforts were made to cultivate forests and introduce various plant species. A total of over 220 exotic plants were brought to the island, with Hooker sending another 330 specimens from Kew Gardens. The resilience of the plants that adapted and thrived supported Hooker's and Darwin’s theories on natural selection.
As time passed, Ascension transformed; trees grew, new crops like bananas flourished, and the landscape shifted from rocky ravines to verdant fields. The initiative proved to be a major triumph.
Chapter 2: The Creation of a Cloud Forest
The result of Hooker's endeavors is an entirely artificial cloud forest on Green Mountain, now populated with numerous non-native species thriving in their new habitat. When Hooker arrived in 1843, he noted only 25 to 30 plant species, with a mere 10 endemic to Ascension. By 1865, the British Admiralty reported flourishing thickets of over 40 tree species.
The Admiralty noted:
The island now possesses thickets of 40 kinds of trees, besides numerous shrubs; through the spreading of vegetation, the water supply is now excellent.
By the turn of the century, banana and guava trees had established themselves naturally across the island. Within a century, Ascension Island transformed from a desolate expanse to a vibrant tropical rainforest.
The forest comprises plants from various continents, including Europe, South America, and Asia, introduced through sailing ships from botanical gardens worldwide, specifically selected for their adaptability.
Controversies and Critiques
Today, Green Mountain continues to thrive, a testament to Hooker and Darwin's once-celebrated efforts. However, the artificial rainforest has faced criticism in modern times. Detractors argue that these changes disrupted Ascension's unique ecosystem, labeling the introduction of foreign species as a "biological invasion."
The native flora has struggled due to these introductions, leading to conservation initiatives aimed at preserving the island's indigenous plants while balancing the introduced species. Interestingly, some newcomers, like bamboo, have proven beneficial to the native plants.
Conclusion: Legacy of a Victorian Explorer
It's remarkable that a lush rainforest now exists on such an isolated island, all due to the vision of a Victorian explorer. Hooker's large-scale eco-engineering project not only succeeded but vastly improved the island's livability. Although some critics claim these actions harmed the island's natural state, the positive outcomes are undeniable.
Visitors today can explore Green Mountain, a National Park featuring a unique collection of plant species. A journey to Ascension Island offers a glimpse into one of the most extraordinary botanical transformations in history.
