'A Garden on the Ashes: Ascension Island and the Origins of Ecosystem Engineering' Science Talk
25 November 2026 · 19:00
Centre Cívic Guinardó, el Guinardó, Horta-Guinardó
Ascension Island was the setting for one of the 19th century's most unusual experiments: the deliberate transformation of an arid volcanic island into a lush, humid tropical ecosystem through the planned introduction of species from around the world, ultimately altering its microclimate. This case is particularly relevant today because it offers a historical precedent for contemporary debates on ecological restoration, ecosystem design and climate change. Could a 19th-century experiment help us re-green territories that are now becoming deserts? I visited the island in March 2026; in this talk I will share what I discovered there and why Ascension continues to fascinate us. Led by Victor Maull Miquel, postdoctoral researcher at Laboratori de Sistemes Complexos.
Source: Ajuntament de Barcelona · checked on 8 September 2026