The appearance of the volcanic island of Surtsey off the coast of Iceland in 1963 was a unique natural experiment. Scientists have had a rare opportunity to observe how life inhabits a completely sterile territory.

For a long time it was believed that plants colonize remote areas thanks to special adaptations – lionfish or parachutes that lure feathered dispersers. However, a new study published in the journal Ecology Letters challenges this classic theory.

Scientists have found that most of the 78 plant species that have appeared on Surtsey since 1965 did not have the characteristics of long-distance travelers. The main “gardeners” of the island turned out to be seagulls, geese and waders, who brought seeds in their stomachs.

“The birds were the real pioneers of Surtsey. They brought plants to the island that, according to textbooks, would never have gotten here. This changes our understanding of how colonization of new territories occurs,” explains Dr. Pavel Vashovich from the Institute of Natural Sciences of Iceland.

The study shows the importance of ecological connections: life does not spread in isolation, but in complex ways, with intermediary animals playing a key role. The new findings are of fundamental importance for ecology and conservation biology, writes Eureka Alert.

“Under climate change, as bird migration patterns shift, birds will play a critical role in helping plants to colonize new territories,” adds Dr Andy Green from the Spanish National Research Council.

Surtsey continues to be an invaluable natural laboratory where biologists can observe ecological processes in real time. The study highlights the need to create new models that take into account complex biological interactions, not just the physical properties of seeds.