Ecological resilience and biodiversity dynamics of an Island forest following a volcanic eruption.

ABSTRACT: Volcanic eruptions are complex natural disturbances with profound effects on ecosystems; however, detailed studies on their spatio-temporal impacts remain scarce. The Tajogaite eruption on La Palma (Canary Islands) lasted 85 days, from September 19 to December 13, 2021, severely affecting the endemic Canary Islands pine forest through lava flows, widespread tephra fallout, and gases. In this habitat, we conducted a comprehensive biodiversity survey over two years on twelve 30 × 30 m plots along a 7 km transect from the crater southwards. We quantified species richness and abundance of gymnosperms, angiosperms, invertebrates, lizards, birds, and bats, linking biodiversity patterns to tephra thickness and distance from the crater. Pinus canariensis near the crater resprouted a month after th

SUBMITTER: Guerrero-Campos M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12623855 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature