Charles Darwin's evolution experiment on Ascension isle

[dipsydoodle]

A lonely island in the middle of the South Atlantic conceals Charles Darwin's best-kept secret.

Two hundred years ago, Ascension Island was a barren volcanic edifice.

Today, its peaks are covered by lush tropical "cloud forest".

What happened in the interim is the amazing story of how the architect of evolution, Kew Gardens and the Royal Navy conspired to build a fully functioning, but totally artificial ecosystem.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-11137903

[mzteris]

1. what I'm wondering now is

what about "life" on that island? Birds, small animals, insects, etc? Did they introduce those as well?

[dipsydoodle]

2. They only mention Kew Gardens

which generally speaking implies plant. trees etc.

Certain insects may have been introduced for the purpose of polination assuming they were not alreday there. General note on insects here :
http://www.ascensionconservation.org.ac/pdf/34-O-Invertebrates-information.pdf

There are other notes here on the subject of cats introduced partly to control rats but the issue seemingly got out of hand and decimated the bird life : http://birds.suite101.com/article.cfm/cats__birds__and_ascension_island

[Nihil]

3. Wow ... thanks for posting that!

I really didn't expect that ...
:wow:

[dipsydoodle]

4. I always forget

that you're here. At least you know what Kew is. :)

Bring back the old days I say. When I was kid it was only a penny to get through the turnstyles in the wall. An old penny at that !

[Nihil]

5. Must have been a while ago ...

... if they used a "y" in "turnstyles" ... :P

:hi:

[drm604]

6. Very cool.

I had never heard about this. Very interesting.