What role does revegetation play in the recolonization of Kasatochi by seabirds?
In 2009, we searched Kasatochi Island for remnant vegetation and signs of revegetation. We also made observations at all pre-established plots. We established additional sampling sites based on geomorphic features that emerged as the result of erosion in concert with investigations of soils and terrestrial arthropods. The areas adjacent to the plots will be searched for vegetation. If any plants are found, cover-abundance will be estimated for all vascular plants, bryophytes, and lichens. Plant nomenclature will follow U.S. Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service. For example, figure 1 shows a representative plot assigned to the post eruption Leymus mollis bluff ridge vegetation type. This is a species-poor, post eruption type that occurred primarily on bluff ridges that were wave-cut cliffs prior to the eruption. Although the type is considered species-poor, the mean species diversity was generally higher than the other post eruption types, and we consider th
