Technical progress report of biological research on the Volcanic Island Surtsey and environment for the year 1976. [Recovery of terrestrial ecosystem on volcanic island following volcano eruption]

• Main Author: Fridriksson, S.
• Format: Report
• Language: English
• Published: Surtsey Research Society, Reykjavik (Iceland) 1976
• Subjects: Animals; Land Reclamation; Environmental Effects; Time Dependence; Ecosystems; Algae; Nitrogen Cycle; Plants; Volcanoes; Chemical Composition; Fungi; 58 Geosciences; Vertebrates 510100* > Environment; Terrestrial > Basic Studies > (-1989); Invertebrates; Islands; Topography; Lichens; Insects; Terrestrial Ecosystems; Biomass; Mosses; Soils; Arthropods; Microorganisms; Plant Growth; Birds; Population Dynamics; Energy Sources; Food Chains; Growth; 580202 > Geophysics > Volcanology > (1980-1989); 54 Environmental Sciences; Renewable Energy Sources; Metabolism; Mid-Atlantic Ridge; Surtsey; Iceland
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.2172/7285348; https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc1449220/

The study involves the terrestrial biological research on the volcanic island, Surtsey, off the coast of Iceland and the neighbouring islands and environs of the Westman Islands, which are situated on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. An eruption of the volcano in 1973 is studied. The topographical changes on Surtsey were studied in August 1976. It is evident that the southwestern side is constantly being eroded and that the island decreases in area of some 7.5 hectares per year. Results are reported from studies of microorganisms, algae, lichens, moss, vascular plants, insects, birds, and soil, and the nitrogen cycle. Emphasis was placed on revegetation and recolonization of plants, insects, and sea birds.