Question

how do current levels of plant and animal biodiversity on easter island compare with past biodiversity levels

Answer 1

Answer and Explanation:

Easter Island, a small island of around 64 square miles, has been a mystery for many scientists who study the changes on the past and current biodiversity abundance. According to research, this island used to be extremely diverse in species of fauna and flora, especially the latter. However, it is now composed of few species of invertebrates and little to almost no vegetation. This occured due to the first colonizers who rapidly deforested the region.

Research suggests that, apart from this deforestation, which caused the decline of wildlife species that depended on shrubs and palm trees, Polynesian colonisers introduced the Polynesian rat, which consumed almost all of the trees that were present in the island, leading to the absence of their regeneration.