Comments on: D’forest for d’trees

By: Brian Erst

Brian Erst — Tue, 26 Sep 2006 19:12:02 +0000

David – indeed. Imagine the horror possibilities of having to resort to cannibalism because the rats have eaten everything else…

By: David

David — Tue, 26 Sep 2006 18:09:10 +0000

Great article, Brian! Thanks for the tip. I think both theories are pretty fascinating, though the Rat one would make for a better horror film, no?

By: Brian Erst

Brian Erst — Mon, 25 Sep 2006 23:10:20 +0000

There has been quite a bit of further research into Easter Island deforestation, and the “humans cut down all the trees to move Moais” hypothesis appears to be losing out to the “Polynesian Rat ate all the palm seeds” theory.

American Scientist has a good article on the latest research:

http://www.americanscientist.org/template/AssetDetail/assetid/53200?fulltext=true&print=yes

It was even mentioned in that Wikipedia article.

While humans were the ultimate cause of the deforestation, it was probably inadvertent – they brought the wrong rat.

By: David

David — Mon, 25 Sep 2006 19:24:09 +0000

Right on. Ponting also describes the effects of serious deforestation on the Sumerian and Mayan civilizations, as well.

A fascinating read.

By: jdahle

jdahle — Mon, 25 Sep 2006 13:41:31 +0000

The Easter Island case demonstrates how men will do anything to achieve an erection….
Seriously though, I’ve heard that much of the Arabian peninsula was a grassland at one time, and that the best explanation as to why it turned into desert was overgrazing by nomatic people’s cattle. Also, Sweden, England, and many of the other European powers had eco-laws back in the 16th-18th century preventing the harvesting of Oak timber as it was needed for shipbuilding. It once got so bad in England that glassmakers were forbidden to use wood to make glass.

By: Marcus

Marcus — Mon, 25 Sep 2006 11:09:39 +0000

never thought the moai people of Easter know “Yo Momma” insults…
impressive research.