Vascular plant colonisation of Surtsey Island (1965-1990) - a dataset.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The process of ecosystem development over time that takes place on a new substrate devoid of biological activity (such as, for example, lava) is called primary succession. Research on primary succession is not easy, as it is limited to rare occasions when a piece of land totally lacking in any pre-existing life occurs. The emergence of volcanic islands is such an occasion; it is a unique event that allows a natural experiment in the study of colonisation processes and primary succession. Surtsey (located in the Vestmannaeyar archipelago off the southern coast of Iceland) is an iconic example of a place where primary succession has been studied for decades and where human disturbance has been minimised due to significant geographic isolation and early protection efforts.

SUBMITTER: Wasowicz P 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7360633 | biostudies-literature | 2020

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature