Two days ago, as families around the world gathered for the holidays, Mount Ruang in Indonesia erupted, sending ash and smoke high into the atmosphere. This highly active volcano has erupted more than 60 times since the 16th century, with several considered major events. This eruption marked the 4th in a series of eruptions in the last several days around the world including Nicaragua (Mount Masaya), Hawaii (Mount Kilauea), and Japan (Mount Sakurajima).
Despite the dangers posed by active volcanoes, many humans and animals live near them. Consider lesser flamingos, for example. Lake Natron, located near the Ol Donyo Lengai volcano in Tanzania, is home to approximately 2 million of these birds. The lake’s alkaline and warm waters (often exceeding 40°C) make it inhospitable to predators but rich in algae, a staple of the flamingos’ diet. Similarly, Galápagos marine iguanas on Fernandina Island trek to the crater floor to lay eggs in the warm ash. While volcanic regions often boast lush soils and rich biodiversity, life in these areas can come with significant risks.
In 2021, scientists studied the effects of an 85-day eruption on La Palma Island in the Canary Islands, characterized by lava flows, gases, and ash (Nogales et al., 2022). They found that invertebrate populations within 2.5 km of the crater were hardest hit in the first two weeks of the eruption, resulting in a 72% loss of biodiversity. This decline had ripple effects throughout the ecosystem. Insectivorous species, such as lizards and passerine birds, suffered due to the loss of insect prey. Larger lizards, in particular, were severely affected, with over 90% perishing near the crater, whereas smaller lizards fared better. Conversely, larger birds were more resilient than smaller passerines, which saw a 50% decline in numbers. Carnivorous birds adapted by switching their diets to include small birds in place of lizards and insects. High-mobility species, such as bats and birds, escaped the devastation by relocating to areas with more resources.
While many species experience negative consequences from volcanic eruptions, others find unexpected benefits. For instance, recent research published in Science of the Total Environment revealed that volcanic ash exposure over six weeks enhanced symbiont photosynthesis and biomineralization in corals, highlighting the crucial role volcanoes play in global biodiversity and reef ecosystems.
Sources:
M Nogales, M Guerrero-Campos, T Boulesteix, N Taquet, C Beierkuhnlein, R Campion, S Fajardo, N Zurita, M Arechavaleta, R Garcia, F Weiser, FM Medina. The fate of terrestrial biodiversity during an oceanic island volcanic eruption. Scientific Reports. 12: 19344, 2022.
F Förster, S Reynaud, L Sauzéat, C Ferrier-Pagès, E Samankassou, TE Sheldrake. Increased coral biomineralization due to enhanced symbiotic activity upon volcanic ash exposure. Science of the Total Environment. 912, 168694, 2024.
Categories: Climate Change, Environment, Extreme Animals, Nature's Solutions, Ocean Life
Tags: animals, biodiversity, geology, nature, travel, volcano, volcanoes
Life Lines by Dr. Dolittle 