Essential Environment

Abstract
When European explorers reached Easter Island in 1722, they "found a barren landscape populated by fewer than 2,000 people." This was amid evidence that there was once sophisticated civilization on the island. Indeed, further studies found that the island was once lushly forested, supporting a society of 6,000 to 30,000 people. Evidence indicates that "this once-flourishing civilization overused its resources and cut down all its trees, destroying itself in a downward spiral of starvation and conflict. Today, Easter Island stands as a parable and a warning for what can happen when a population consumes too much of the limited resources that support it." Using the scientific method, analyze and prepare a report on the story of Easter Island. In your report, include responses to the following questions: Observation: What were some of the key observations at Easter Island? Hypothesis: What hypothesis was formed as a result of the observations? Results: What were the results and conclusions after applying the scientific method? Do you agree with the assertion that Easter Island holds important lessons for our world today, regarding the use of natural resources? Why or why not? Support your answer with examples. Sustainability
Easter Island holds important less for the world today, once all the natural resources were used up, the population decreased. Only one resource was eliminated from the landscape of the Island, yet it led to total destruction of a thriving society. The trees of the Island were cut down which led to soil erosion, no trees meant no birds to spread seeds for regrowth. The soil erosion led to less production in crops, as the nutrients of the soil were washed away. Fewer crops resulted in the starvation of the natives which resulted in cannibalism. The decline in the population points back to the overuse of one resource, trees.
Ironic to think one resource could hold the fate of a population in the balance. This is one of the lessons to be learned from Easter Island. The destruction of the rain forest is a close parallel to the destruction of Easter Island. With the destruction of the rain forest, the canopy that is home to animals are being destroyed. Without the animals to spread seeds, the reproduction of trees is stifled, and soil erosion will occur on the forest floor. The rain forest helps to regulate the carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.
Using scientific method to determine the results found on Easter Island. The observation of Easter Island was a dismal desolate place. The inhabitants of the Island were very few on the brink of starvation. Crop production was not enough to sustain the population. The population had overused the natural resources to the point of total destruction of the native trees. There have been several hypothesis formed over the years as to the destruction of the Island and the population. Climate was one of the first hypotheses but upon testing that hypothesis was disproved. The hypothesis that holds true after the testing of soils, and lake sediment, is over use of the natural resources of the Island. The inhabitants cut all the trees down to build canoes, homes and firewood. The results of cutting all the trees resulted in no birds to spread seeds, no provide food. Soil erosion washed away vital nutrients resulting in less ground crops. Less crops led to starvation and death, due to fighting for food.
The lessons uncovered on Easter Island should serve as a reminder to the current population of the Earth. We only have a limited amount of resources, and should take steps to protect those resources for future generations. Less this population fall into the same demise as the inhabitants of Easter Island. The destruction of the rain forest is leading to the decrease of indigenous animals. The clearing of old timber, is leading to soil erosion on the forest floor. This is the same thing that happened on Easter Island, and bound to have horrible results. Summary
Each and every action has affects upon the future of the Earth. Easter Island should serve as an example of the destruction that can occur when resources are over used. Ironically only one resource was eliminated from the environment, and it plunged the Island into chaos. The elimination of the trees resulted in a reduction of food available for the population. This led to fighting over food resulting in death and starvation. Lessons learned from Easter Island should serve as a reminder to the world of how precious resources need to be protected.

Works Cited
Hicks, S. (2008). Rainforest Destruction: We need to save the rain forest. Retrieved September 18, 2013, from www.hubpages.com: http://hubpages.com/hub/Rain-Forest-Depletion
Withgott, J., & Brennan, S. (2009). Essential Environment. San Francisco: Person Benjamin Cummings.