Easter Island: Deforestation Decision (1400s)
by Anonymous
The Rapa Nui people continued felling trees for moai transport and canoe building until the island was completely deforested. Without trees, they couldn't build canoes to fish, and the civilization collapsed.
Continue Deforestation
1400s
century
Last remaining palm forests
resource
More moai, larger canoes
short-term benefit
Chosen — complete ecological collapse
outcome
Conserve Remaining Forest
1400s
century
Sustainable harvest
resource
Fewer moai, smaller monuments
short-term benefit
Not chosen — status competition drove deforestation
outcome
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