Easter Island: Ecocide vs Rat/Adaptation Theory — Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary flashcards covering key concepts from the Easter Island notes, including ecocide, tragedy of the commons, deforestation, traditional vs. rat/adaptation theories, and their broader implications.

Ecocide

Destruction of the environment by overuse; in Easter Island, overexploitation of resources leading toward collapse.

Tragedy of the Commons

If everyone takes resources faster than they regenerate, the resources run out for everyone.

Forest loss (deforestation)

Removal of trees leading to soil erosion, less fresh water, and poorer agriculture.

Main resource on Easter Island

Trees/forests were the central resource; their loss affected many aspects of society.

Traditional collapse theory (ecocide)

Overuse of resources led to starvation, warfare, and population decline.

Rat/adaptation theory (Hunt & Lipo)

An alternative view: Polynesian rats prevented forest regrowth; humans adapted by eating rats and using rock gardens; decline later due to European diseases.

Polynesian rat

A rodent introduced by Polynesians that ate tree seeds and sprouts, hindering forest regeneration.

Rock gardens

An agricultural technique using broken stones in soil to add nutrients for crops.

Muddled through

Humans survived with less; the environment was degraded but did not fully collapse.

European diseases

Diseases brought by Europeans that caused population decline after contact, not initial famine.

Old vs. new theory difference

Old: collapse from overuse; New: survival with adaptation and later disease-driven decline.

Big-picture lesson

Both views warn about finite resources and the risk of normalizing environmental decline; Earth is a limited system like Easter Island.