Editing Surtsey (section)

==Biology==

===Settlement of life===
A classic site for the study of [[Colonisation (biology)|biocolonisation]] from [[founder population]]s, Surtsey was declared a nature reserve in 1965, while the eruption was still in progress. Today only a few scientists are permitted to land on Surtsey; the only way anyone else can see it closely is from a small plane. This allows the natural [[ecological succession]] for the island to proceed without outside interference. In 2008, [[UNESCO]] declared the island a [[World Heritage Site]], in recognition of its great scientific value.<ref>{{citation|url=https://whc.unesco.org/en/news/453/|title=Twenty-seven new sites inscribed|publisher=UNESCO|access-date=2015-02-13}}</ref>

====Plant life====
In the spring of 1965,<ref name="surtseyresearchsociety2007">Surtsey Research Society [http://www.surtsey.is/pp_ens/biola_1.htm "Colonization of the Land"] Accessed: 2015-01-23. (Archived by WebCite® at)</ref> the first [[vascular plant]], [[Cakile arctica|''Cakile arctica'']],<ref name=":1">{{Cite journal|last1=Davy|first1=A. J.|last2=Scott|first2=R.|last3=Cordazzo|first3=C. V.|date=2006|title=Biological flora of the British Isles: ''Cakile maritima'' Scop.|journal=Journal of Ecology|language=en|volume=94|issue=3|pages=695–711|doi=10.1111/j.1365-2745.2006.01131.x|s2cid=83896894 |issn=1365-2745|doi-access=free|bibcode=2006JEcol..94..695D }}</ref> was found growing on the northern shore<ref name="csmonitor2008">{{citation | title = Iceland's new island is an exclusive club&nbsp;– for scientists only | url = http://www.csmonitor.com/The-Culture/2008/1024/iceland-s-new-island-is-an-exclusive-club-for-scientists-only | year = 2008 | last = Blask | first = Sara | publication-date = 2008-10-24 | journal = The Christian Science Monitor}}</ref> of Surtsey. In 1967, the first 2 moss species, [[Funaria hygrometrica|''Funaria hygrometrica'']] and [[Bryum argenteum|''Bryum argenteum'']], were found,<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Ingimundardóttir |first1=G. V. |last2=Weibull |first2=H. |last3=Cronberg |first3=N. |date=2014-08-20 |title=Bryophyte colonization history of the virgin volcanic island Surtsey, Iceland |url=https://bg.copernicus.org/articles/11/4415/2014/ |journal=Biogeosciences |language=English |volume=11 |issue=16 |pages=4415–4427 |doi=10.5194/bg-11-4415-2014 |doi-access=free |bibcode=2014BGeo...11.4415I |issn=1726-4170}}</ref> and the first [[lichen]]s were found on the Surtsey lava in 1970.<ref name=Burrows>{{citation | title=Processes of Vegetation Change | first=Colin | last=Burrows | year=1990 | publisher=Routledge | pages=[https://archive.org/details/cropgeneticresou0000unse/page/124 124–127] | isbn=978-0-04-580012-4 | url=https://archive.org/details/cropgeneticresou0000unse/page/124 }}</ref> Plant colonisation on Surtsey has been closely studied, the vascular plants in particular as they have been of far greater significance than mosses, lichens and [[fungi]] in the development of vegetation.<ref name=plants/>

Mosses and lichens now cover much of the island. During the island's first 20&nbsp;years, 20&nbsp;species of plants were observed at one time or another, but only 10 became established in the nutrient-poor sandy soil. As birds began nesting on the island, soil conditions improved, and more vascular plant species were able to survive. In 1998, the first [[Woody plant|bush]] was found on the island, being a species of [[willow]] (''Salix'' ssp.)—a tea-leaved willow (''[[Salix phylicifolia]]''), which can grow to heights of up to {{convert|4|m|ft|abbr=off}}. By 2008, 69&nbsp;species of plant had been found on Surtsey,<ref name="csmonitor2008" /> of which about 30 had become established. This compares to the approximately 490 species found on mainland Iceland.<ref name="csmonitor2008" /> More species continue to arrive, at a typical rate of roughly 2–5&nbsp;new species per year.<ref name=plants>{{citation| url=http://www.vulkaner.no/n/surtsey/esurtplant.html|title= The volcano island: Surtsey, Iceland: Plants| publisher=Our Beautiful World| access-date=2008-07-08}}</ref>

====Bird life====
[[File:Puffin2.jpg|thumb|right|150px|The first [[puffin]] nests were found on Surtsey in 2004]]

The expansion of [[bird]] life on the [[island]] has both relied on and helped to advance the spread of plant life. Birds use the plants for nesting material, but also continue to assist in the spreading of seeds, and fertilize the soil with their [[guano]].<ref name=thornton>{{citation|first1=Ian |last1=Thornton |first2= Tim|last2=New | title=Island Colonization: The Origin and Development of Island Communities |publisher=Cambridge University Press|page=178|isbn=978-0-521-85484-9|year=2007}}</ref> Birds first began nesting on Surtsey three years after the eruptions ended, with [[northern fulmar]] (''Procellaria glacialis'') and [[black guillemot]] (''Cepphus grylle'') being the first species to set up home. Twelve species are now regularly found on the island.<ref name=birds>{{citation|last=Petersen|first=Ævar|title=Bird Life on Surtsey|url=http://www.surtsey.is/pp_ens/biola_5.htm|publisher=The Surtsey Research Society|date=2007-05-06|access-date=2008-07-14}}</ref>

A [[gull]] colony has been present since 1984, although gulls were seen briefly on the shores of the new island weeks after it first appeared.<ref name=birds/> The gull colony has been particularly important in developing the plant life on Surtsey,<ref name=thornton/><ref name=birds/> and the gulls have had much more of an impact on plant colonisation than other breeding species due to their abundance. An expedition in 2004 found the first evidence of nesting [[Atlantic puffin]]s (''Fratercula arctica''),<ref name=birds/> which are abundant in the rest of the [[archipelago]].<ref>{{citation|url=http://iceland.vefur.is/Iceland_nature/wildlife/puffins.htm|title=Puffins in Iceland|publisher=Iceland on the web|access-date=2008-07-14}}</ref>

As well as providing a home for some species of birds, Surtsey has also been used as a stopping-off point for [[bird migration|migrating]] birds, particularly those en route between Europe and Iceland.<ref>{{citation|url=http://www.vulkaner.no/v/volcan/surtsey_e.html|title=Surtsey, Iceland|publisher=Our Beautiful World|access-date=2008-07-08}}</ref><ref>{{citation|last1=Friðriksson|first1=Sturla|last2=Magnússon|first2=Borgþór|url=http://www.surtsey.is/pp_ens/biola_1.htm|title=Colonization of the Land|publisher=The Surtsey Research Society|date=2007-05-06|access-date=2008-07-08}}</ref> Species that have been seen briefly on the island include [[whooper swan]]s (''Cygnus cygnus''), various species of [[geese]], and [[common raven]]s (''Corvus corax''). Although Surtsey lies to the west of the main migration routes to Iceland, it has become a more common stopping point as its vegetation has improved.<ref>{{citation| url=http://www.vulkaner.no/n/surtsey/esurtbird.html| title= The volcano island: Surtsey, Iceland: Birdlife| publisher=Our Beautiful World|access-date=2008-07-08}}</ref> In 2008, the 14th breeding bird species was detected with the discovery of a common raven's nest.<ref name="csmonitor2008" />

According to a 30 May 2009 report, a [[European golden plover|golden plover]] (''Pluvialis apricaria'') was nesting on the island, with four eggs.<ref>[http://www.icenews.is/index.php/2009/05/30/new-family-moves-onto-surtsey-island-no-parties-allowed/ New family moves onto Surtsey Island, no parties allowed] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120614033248/http://www.icenews.is/index.php/2009/05/30/new-family-moves-onto-surtsey-island-no-parties-allowed/ |date=14 June 2012 }} IceNews, 30 May 2009</ref>

====Marine life====
Soon after the island's formation, [[Pinniped|seals]] were seen around the island. They soon began basking there, particularly on the northern spit, which grew as the waves eroded the island. Seals were found to be breeding on the island in 1983, and a group of up to 70 made the island their breeding spot. [[Grey seal]]s are more common on the island than [[harbour seal]]s, but both are now well established.<ref>{{citation|last=Hauksson|first=Erlingur|year=1992|title=Observations on Seals on Surtsey in the Period 1980–1989|journal=Surtsey Research Progress Report X|url=http://surtsey.is/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/1992_X_2_03.pdf|pages=31–32|access-date=2008-07-14|archive-date=February 10, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240210061957/http://surtsey.is/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/1992_X_2_03.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> The presence of seals attracts [[orca]]s, which are frequently seen in the waters around the Vestmannaeyjar archipelago and now frequent the waters around Surtsey.

On the submarine portion of the island, many marine species are found. [[Starfish]] are abundant, as are [[sea urchin]]s and [[limpet]]s. The rocks are covered in [[algae]], and [[seaweed]] covers much of the submarine slopes of the volcano, with its densest cover between {{convert|10|and|20|m|ft}} below sea level.<ref>{{citation| url=http://www.vulkaner.no/n/surtsey/esurtseal.html|title= The volcano Island Surtsey, Iceland: Sealife| publisher=Our Beautiful World|access-date=2008-07-08}}</ref>

====Other life====

Insects arrived on Surtsey soon after its formation, and were first detected in 1964. The original arrivals were flying insects, carried to the island by winds and their own power. Some were believed to have been blown across from as far away as [[mainland Europe]]. Later insect life arrived on floating [[driftwood]], and both live animals and carcasses washed up on the island. When a large, grass-covered [[tussock (grass)|tussock]] washed ashore in 1974, scientists took half of it for analysis and discovered 663 land invertebrate specimens, mostly [[mite]]s and [[springtail]]s, the great majority of which had survived the crossing.<ref>{{citation | first = Erling | last = Ólafsson | title = The development of the land-arthropod fauna on Surtsey, Iceland, during 1971–1976 with notes on terrestrial Oligochaeta | journal = Surtsey Research Progress Report VIII | pages = 41–46 | year = 1978 | url = http://www.surtsey.is/pp_ens/report/report_VIII.htm | access-date =2008-07-08}}</ref>

The establishment of insect life provided some food for birds, and birds in turn helped many species to become established on the island. The bodies of dead birds provide sustenance for [[carnivorous]] insects, while the fertilisation of the soil and resulting promotion of plant life provides a viable habitat for [[herbivorous]] insects.

The first [[earthworm]] was found in a soil sample in 1993, probably carried over from [[Heimaey]] by a bird. However, the next year no earthworms were found. [[Slug]]s were found in 1998, and appeared to be similar to varieties found in the southern Icelandic mainland. Spiders and [[beetle]]s have also become established.<ref>{{citation| url=http://www.vulkaner.no/n/surtsey/esurtinns.html| title= The volcano island: Surtsey, Iceland: Insects| publisher=Our Beautiful World| access-date=2008-07-08}}</ref><ref>
{{citation | first = Hólmfríður | last = Sigurðardóttir | title = Status of collembolans (Collembola) on Surtsey, Iceland, in 1995 and first encounter of earthworms (lumbricidae) in 1993 | journal = Surtsey Research XI | pages = 51–55 | year = 2000 | url = http://www.surtsey.is/pp_ens/report/report_XI.htm | access-date =2008-07-08}}</ref>