Observations on the vegetation dynamics of the Capelinhos volcano (Faial Island, Azores, Portugal)

Abstract

After a short overview of the pioneer vegetation on active volcanoes the eruptive history of the Capelinhos is resumed. From two maps of the vegetation regeneration on the ash fields of Capelo (2001, 2008), the results of different field work campaigns are discussed. In one part of the ashfields, the vegetation dynamic is blocked by Arundo donax. In the other part, the vegetation seems to develop into a forest dominated by Morella faya and Picconia azorica with a high number of exotics species as for example Banksia integrifolia & Metrosideros excelsa. Compared to other volcanoes, for example the Surtsey volcano, in Island, the colonization of the Capelinhos by plant seems to go on very slowly. The author thinks that the relatively poor avifauna could explain this slow vegetation colonization of the Capelinhos. Fifty years after the Capelinhos eruption we cannot find any tree or bushes on the volcano. Dominant plant species on the Capelinhos are Tetragonia tetragonioides, Portulaca oleacera and Plantago coronopus. Alien plant species seem to have an important role in the establishment of the pioneer vegetation on the Capelinhos.