MONTSERRAT, West Indies

volcanic effects on the ecology of Montserrat

The "Emerald Isle" of the caribbean is being threatened by the Soufriere (su-free) Hills volcano. There were once flowers of many colors all over the island. The rich soil yielded crops of papaya, coconuts, mangos, bananas, and more. The capital, Plymouth, was constructed from ballast rocks brought from England on ships. It's Victorian Government House bears a shamrock, and there are bits of Ireland in the names, food, lilting brogues, and red hair, making it a very unique island in the caribbean. the island natives are a combination of people from Ireland, England, African, and the native Arawak and Caribe Indians. Tourists used to be able to climb to the top of Chance's Peak, as well as go down into the Soufriere and see the steams vents (and smell the "sulfur"). But no more: it is now an "active" volcano! And the animals are leaving the area and vegetation is dying. Montserrat is the only habitat of their national bird, the Montserrat oriole. And the coral formations are in danger.

Much of the mountaineous vegetation is the Gages Valley area has turned brown and is dead. To the east, the once lush forests of the Tar River Valley have been degraded from ash and gases, and then finally destroyed by pyroclastic flows. The tree ferns are dead and the Heliconius butterflies have almost disappeared from the crater area.

Acid rain, from the volcanic sulphur is killing the vegetation. This impacts on animals as well as plants. Animal life is practically non-existant on Chance's Peak. Surprizingly, hummingbirds were seen flying within 300 meters of the Peak. Unfortunately, their food source (nectar) is practically non-existant right now.

A non-profit group, Sustainable Ecosystems Institute (SEI), has been monitoring the Bamboo forest, home of the Montserrat oriole. Five hundred pairs are believed to have survived the forest clearing for agriculture as well as the devastation of Hurricane Hugo in 1989. Now, this prime habitat is threatened by the volcano which sprang to life two years ago, and getting more violent. Chance's Peak, the southern Bamboo forests, and Centre hills are all damaged.

Chance's Peak forest has been destroyed by the pyroclastic flows of ash and the acid rain caused by the volcano. The main, southern population, of the Montserrat oriole is threatened (as of February 1997) by an "imminent collapse of the protective 'Galways Wall'. The entire southern population could be lost in just a few moments." (SEI is hoping to relocate the threatened birds to a safer location).

The volcano is also effecting the coral formations between the east and southeast of the island. Some reefs are buried by sedimentation and ash loads. There is also documentation of coral-bleaching, increased disease, and the disintegration of large sponges.

Because of the loss of vegetation around the volcano, erosion has become a severe problem. Each rain storm (and it rains daily), causes more soil to be lost from the mountainsides.

Presently unaffected by the volcano (other than falling ash) is the northern tip of the island. This area is an arid, semi-desert. It is presently the only "safe" area and virtually all remaining residents are living here in less than ideal conditions.

SEI is trying to save the plants and animals on Montserrat. Hopefully, they will be successful, and after the "smoke" has cleared there will be renewed life after the volcano once it is "dormant" again. Maybe they should rename the island Pheonix.

© 1997-2001 WA3Z, John

Back HOME