Availability of plant nutrients and pollutants in the young soils of Surtsey compared to the older Heimaey and Elliðaey volcanic islands

Nitrogen (N) is the most limiting nutrient for plant growth across sub-Arctic volcanic ecosystems, regardless of soil age or seabird presence. A study comparing young Surtsey (50 years old) to older Heimaey and Elliðaey (~1600 years) found that while seabird colonies enhance availability of most nutrients—including phosphorus (P), potassium (K), magnesium (Mg), calcium (Ca), sulfur (S), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), and zinc (Zn)—N consistently constrained plant productivity. On Surtsey’s thinner tephra soils, low P availability may also contribute to co-limitation, warranting further investigation. No accumulation of cadmium (Cd) or lead (Pb) was detected in seabird colonies. The study used resin membranes incubated in topsoil (0–10 cm) to measure nutrient dynamics, revealing how time and biotic factors shape ecosystem development on unvegetated volcanic substrates.

Sigurdsson, B. D., & Leblans, N. I. W. (2020). Availability of plant nutrients and pollutants in the young soils of Surtsey compared to the older Heimaey and Elliðaey volcanic islands. Surtsey Research, 14, 91–98. https://doi.org/10.33112/surtsey.14.8