Plant colonization, succession and ecosystem development on Surtsey with reference to neighbouring islands

Seabirds, particularly seagulls and puffins, play a pivotal role in the development of volcanic island ecosystems by transferring nutrients from sea to land, significantly accelerating plant colonization, soil formation, and biodiversity. A study on Surtsey, a volcanic island formed in 1963, revealed that seabird colonies led to the establishment of dense grasslands with higher species richness, diversity, biomass, and soil carbon compared to low-impact areas. By 2013, Surtsey hosted 69 vascular plant species, more than twice as many as neighboring islands, with bird dispersal becoming the dominant pathway after 1985. However, long-term impacts of seabirds result in species-poor grasslands, similar to those found on older neighboring islands like Elliðaey and Heimaey. The research compared permanent plots on Surtsey, Elliðaey (puffin colony), and Heimaey (no seabirds) to assess plant succession, soil formation, and invertebrate communities, highlighting the contrasting effects of nutrient input on ecosystem development.

Magnússon, B., Magnússon, S. H., Ólafsson, E., & Sigurdsson, B. D. (2014). Plant colonization, succession and ecosystem development on Surtsey with reference to neighbouring islands. Biogeosciences, 11(19), 5521–5537. https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-11-5521-2014