RESUMO
Rudolf Barth took part in two scientific expeditions to Trindade Island, Brazil, in 1957 and 1959. As a backdrop to comments about his reports, the article tells the island's history and describes the national and world context in the 1950s. Barth warned about the environmental threats to Trindade, diagnosed its problems, and proposed solutions. He described endemic and invasive species. Aware that the brevity of his stay constrained his findings, he advocated further research at differing times of the year. Contemporary scientific practices corroborate a number of his analyses. Since the late 1950s, Trindade has served not only as a metaphor for global environmental challenges but also as a laboratory for conservationist measures.
RESUMO
Rudolf Barth participou de duas expedições científicas à ilha da Trindade, Brasil, em 1957 e 1959. Para comentar seus relatórios, este artigo narra a história dessa ilha, assim como o contexto nacional e mundial nos anos 1950. Barth alertou sobre as ameaças ambientais à ilha da Trindade, diagnosticou problemas e propôs soluções. Descreveu espécies endêmicas e invasoras. Consciente dos limites impostos por sua curta estada na ilha, defendeu a realização de investigações em épocas diversas do ano. Práticas científicas contemporâneas corroboram várias de suas análises. Desde fins dos anos 1950, a ilha da Trindade tem sido utilizada não só como metáfora dos desafios ambientais globais, mas também como 'laboratório' de ações conservacionistas.
Rudolf Barth took part in two scientific expeditions to Trindade Island, Brazil, in 1957 and 1959. As a backdrop to comments about his reports, the article tells the island's history and describes the national and world context in the 1950s. Barth warned about the environmental threats to Trindade, diagnosed its problems, and proposed solutions. He described endemic and invasive species. Aware that the brevity of his stay constrained his findings, he advocated further research at differing times of the year. Contemporary scientific practices corroborate a number of his analyses. Since the late 1950s, Trindade has served not only as a metaphor for global environmental challenges but also as a laboratory for conservationist measures.
