Bryophyte colonization history of the virgin volcanic island Surtsey, Iceland

A study tracking bryophyte colonization on Surtsey, Iceland, revealed that 15 new species were discovered between 2008 and 1972, with eight species recorded for the first time. The research found that habitat loss due to erosion and vegetation changes led to the decline of some previously abundant species, while others thrived or expanded. Notably, several newcomers likely arrived via seagulls, suggesting bird-mediated dispersal plays a significant role in bryophyte colonization. The study also highlighted how nutrient leakage from a gull colony has locally reduced the importance of nitrogen fixation by cyanobacteria.

Ingimundardóttir, G. V., Weibull, H., & Cronberg, N. (2014). Bryophyte colonization history of the virgin volcanic island Surtsey, Iceland. Biogeosciences, 11(16), 4415–4427. https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-11-4415-2014