Ascension Island - the original terraformed landscape.

Sitting our in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean, Ascension Island is one of the remoter spots on the planet.

Originally a barren, volcanic island, it was little more than a dusty cinder sticking up out of the ocean.

However, in his travels around the world, Charles Darwin visited, and conceived of the idea of creating an artificial forest, aimed at eventually covering the island with trees, capturing water from the clouds, and eventually increasing the water supply.

It was the first effort at terraforming, and it was successful.

Over the years, through his efforts, Darwin had trees and shrubs from all over the world sent to the island, and planted.  Although all are not native, they took root and spread, and the cinder started to look more like a jungle.  Over the years, the palms, bananas, Norfolk pines and bamboo have thrived and spread, and a walk through the forested area is like a jungle stroll.

Now, his plantings have spread and created a cloud forest on the highest peak of the island.  You can easily see the green area in the picture from space.  The rest of the island remains the desolate volcanic cinder it was when originally discovered.

Going from barren desert to lush cloud forest is yet another first for Mr. Darwin, and a lesson in successful terraforming that has implications in many other areas.