Chronicles of the soil (Crónicas del suelo) - by Samuel Cortese -Episode 2

Описание: Darwin Leader: Samuel Cortese Mc Lean (Ecuador)
Project title: Chronicles of the soil - Episode 2 of 3
Filmed and edited: Ignacio García
Location: Rapa Nui, Chile
View all episodes via www.darwin200.com/leaderboard

The project is an exploration into how the people of Rapa Nui have related themselves with agriculture, and more specifically with the soil in their island. Which has led them to develop innovative farming methods to face the harsh agricultural conditions such as limited water, intense sun, and scarce nutrients. Over time, they used the abundant volcanic rocks to create stone gardens and Mana Vai, structures that preserved moisture, moderated temperature, and improved soil fertility.
These techniques sustained generations but were eventually abandoned due to the introduction of non-sustainable modern agricultural practices, like monocultures. This led to a considerable loss of traditions, resulting in the degradation of the native soil.
However, today there are several initiatives which blend ancestral wisdom and sustainable practices like reintroducing traditional crops, planting in dense and diverse arrangements, and using trees to restore water cycles and microbial health. These strategies, combined with the collaboration and education of the local communities, offer a path towards restoring soil health and agricultural sustainability, since Rapa Nui is not a place for mass production but for cultivating resilience and ecological balance.