Estefany Pate, a worker at Chile's National Forest Corporation, nurtures a sprout of Sophora toromiro, a tree declared extinct in the wild during the 1960s. Once prevalent on Rapa Nui, the toromiro has immense cultural and historical importance. Despite numerous unsuccessful attempts since the 1980s to reintroduce it to the island, scientists are exploring new methods. The tree symbolizes the island's ecological struggles, facing threats from invasive species and overexploitation, yet efforts continue in hopes of restoring its legacy to Rapa Nui.
The Sophora toromiro, once part of Rapa Nui's ecosystem, holds great cultural significance, representing what was lost due to environmental changes and overuse.
Efforts to reintroduce the toromiro tree have been ongoing since the 1980s, but previous attempts faced challenges, with many trees dying prematurely.
With invasive species overwhelming the island's vegetation, the hope lies in innovative scientific methods to finally restore the toromiro to its native habitat.
Estefany Pate's emotional connection to the toromiro reflects the deep cultural legacy this resilient species holds for the people of Rapa Nui.
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