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Preface Surtsey is a scientifically unique area. It offers an outstanding example of a virgin, volcanic island that is being actively created and shaped by geological, geomorphological and ecological processes. The present nomination document proposes that the Surtsey Nature Reserve, including the entire Surtsey volcano and the surrounding sea, be recognised through the award of World Heritage Site status, in particular due to its international importance for the natural sciences. It was on 15 November 1963 that Surtsey emerged as a new volcanic island in the picturesque Vestmannaeyjar archipelago. The formation of Surtsey provided the scientific community with a unique opportunity to study the development of an oceanic volcano from its inception on the sea floor to the creation of an island, and then throughout the modification of this newly erected structure by physical and ecological processes. Since its emergence, the island of Surtsey has been strictly protected and human influence restricted to a minimum. Surtsey has thus offered a natural laboratory in geology, geomorphology and ecology which has provided invaluable information on the creation and history of the Earth and its biosphere. Preparations for this nomination have involved local and national authorities and various interested parties. Commissioned by the Icelandic World Heritage Committee, the Icelandic Institute of Natural History has compiled this nomination document with the assistance and advice of many people and institutions. Our vision is that a World Heritage Site status will further the long-term conservation of Surtsey as a pristine nature reserve. Thus we feel it is both a delight and an honour to recommend this nomination to the World Heritage Committee of UNESCO. Ragnheiður Helga Þórarinsdóttir Chair Icelandic World Heritage Committee Steingrímur Hermannsson Jón Gunnar Ottósson Chair Director General Surtsey Research Society Icelandic Institute of Natural History Jóhann Sigurjónsson Davíð Egilson Director General Director General Marine Research Institute Environment and Food Agency Elliði Vignisson Snorri Baldursson Mayor Project Manager Municipality of Vestmannaeyjar Icelandic Institute of Natural History
This nomination has been commissioned by the Icelandic World Heritage Committee on behalf of the Ministry of Education, Science and Culture and the Ministry for the Environment. The editors and authors are responsible for all the presented results and conclusions. Members of the Icelandic World Heritage Committee: Ragnheiður H. Þórarinsdóttir, Ministry of Education, Science and Culture, Chair Árni Bragason, Environment and Food Agency of Iceland Kristín Huld Sigurðardóttir, The Archaeological Heritage Agency of Iceland Sigurður Á. Þráinsson, Ministry for the Environment Project management and editing: Snorri Baldursson and Álfheiður Ingadóttir, Icelandic Institute of Natural History Authors: Sveinn P. Jakobsson, Icelandic Institute of Natural History Borgþór Magnússon, Icelandic Institute of Natural History Erling Ólafsson, Icelandic Institute of Natural History Guðríður Þorvarðardóttir, Environment and Food Agency of Iceland Karl Gunnarsson, Marine Research Institute Snorri Baldursson, Icelandic Institute of Natural History Ævar Petersen, Icelandic Institute of Natural History Contributing authors and advisors: Baldur Bjartmarsson, Icelandic Maritime Administration Gísli Viggósson, Icelandic Maritime Administration Guðríður Gyða Eyjólfsdóttir, Icelandic Institute of Natural History Haraldur Sigurðsson, University of Rhode Island, USA Hörður Kristinsson, Icelandic Institute of Natural History Reynir Fjalar Reynisson, University of Trondheim, Norway Steingrímur Hermannsson, Surtsey Research Society, Reykjavík Tony Weighell, Joint Nature Conservation Committee, UK Trausti Jónsson, The Icelandic Meteorological Office Maps and graphics: Lovísa Ásbjörnsdóttir and Anette Th. Meier, Icelandic Institute of Natural History Technical assistance: Pálína Héðinsdóttir and Ragnhildur Sigrún Björnsdóttir, Icelandic Institute of Natural History Cover and lay-out: Helga Tómasdóttir, Prentsnið Ltd. Language assistance and translation: Lingua / Norðan Jökuls Drawings (birds and plants): Jón Baldur Hlíðberg 3D interpretation: Þórdís Högnadóttir, University of Iceland Photos: Source is given at individual photo
Page 1 and 2: Ministry of Education, Science and
Page 3: • O F ICELANDIC INSTITUTE N AT U
Page 8 and 9: Contents 1 Identification of the pr
Page 10 and 11: 22’’N 5’’W Surtsey Nature R
Page 12 and 13: 2 Description 2.a Description of pr
Page 14 and 15: Vestmannaeyjar archipelago Surtey i
Page 16 and 17: and of the islands of Bjarnarey and
Page 18 and 19: 150 m 100 m 50 m 0 m - 50 m - 100 m
Page 20 and 21: Typical ropy lava surface at the so
Page 22 and 23: Geological definitions Accretionary
Page 24 and 25: (Friedman and Williams 1970). Altho
Page 26 and 27: sorting than the original tephra, w
Page 28 and 29: Fig. 2.9. Wind direction frequency
Page 30 and 31: older and more eroded. It is likely
Page 32 and 33: The lichen Xanthoria parietina and
Page 34 and 35: study plots revealed four main vege
Page 36 and 37: carefully recording any observation
Page 38 and 39: carried out. In the early years of
Page 40 and 41: Amara quenseli Atheta graminicola B
Page 42 and 43: 1 2 3 4 6 - 8 northern sublittoral
Page 44 and 45: Marine mammals Marine mammals have
Page 46 and 47: 2.b History and development Geologi
Page 48 and 49: Lava effusion on Surtsey, April 21,
Page 50 and 51: 0 m -100 m -200 m -300 m 6/’65 (D
Page 52 and 53: 17 February 1964: hydromagmatic eru
Page 54 and 55:
The hydrothermal area at the surfac
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Area [km 2 ] 3 2 1 0 1960 1970 1980
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History of life Influx of terrestri
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Number of vascular plant species 60
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upon later attempts after growing c
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colony, a community composed mainly
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Erling Ólafsson 1982; Gjelstrup 20
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Number of species 60 50 40 30 20 10
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13 Justification for inscription 3.
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Surtsey's emergence has provided a
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forms and biological communities. T
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Italians landed and named it Ferdin
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These include, to name but a few: s
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The tephra cones have been converte
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4 State of conservation and factors
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Fig. 4.2. Mean yearly catches of fi
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(iii) Natural disasters and prepari
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15 5.a Ownership Protection and man
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“A room with a view.” (Photo fr
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The Surtsey Research Society has co
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6 Monitoring 6.a Key indicators for
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71Documentation 7.a Supplementary m
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except by permission of the Environ
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Gjelstrup, P. 2000. Soil mites and
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8 8.a Preparer Contact information
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9 Signature on behalf of the State
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List of figures Lists of figures, t
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Appendices Appendix 1a. Declaration
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APPENDICES Species status in 2005 A
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Appendix 4. Lichens species recorde
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Appendix 6. Bird species seen on or
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Coccinellidae Coccinella undecimpun
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Neomolgus littoralis (Linnaeus) Any
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APPENDICES Appendix 9a. Marine zoob
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Crustacea/Amphipoda amphipod Hippom
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effects on natural features, landsc
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