The regeneration of the rain forest is assumed to be quite rapid and complete. Bush, however, has discovered that the Krakatau system is extremely poor in species diversity. This suggests that the recovery of rain forests after destruction may be measured in millennia rather than decades or centuries, as previously thought by rain forest conservationists. The ensuing loss in biodiversity for disturbed rain forest patches may be a long-lasting, if not permanent consequence. Bush, concerned with the conservation and recovery of rain forests around the globe, is studying the miniature system of Krakatau to model the effects of worldwide deforestation.
Islands are simple ecosystems, models for other, more complex ecosystems.
By looking at Krakatau, we may stand a good chance of understanding the larger ecosystems and as a result, answer some of the major questions facing rain forests conservationists today. In August of 1883, a volcanic eruption on the island of Krakatau, ten times the magnitude of Mt. St. Helens and 2,000 times the force of the largest nuclear explosion yet known, shook the world - literally. After four hours of continual shaking and a heavy rain of ash, two-thirds of the original island had disappeared. Three miles to the north, new islands of steaming ash and pumice stood where there had previously been ocean over a hundred feet deep. Over 36,000 people were killed by a wave reaching heights of 120 feet and enormous chunks of coral reef were hurled ashore, some weighing well over 600 tons.