title: Rapid, long-distance dispersal by pumice rafting.
abstract: Pumice is an extremely effective rafting agent that can dramatically increase the dispersal range of a variety of marine organisms and connect isolated shallow marine and coastal ecosystems. Here we report on a significant recent pumice rafting and long-distance dispersal event that occurred across the southwest Pacific following the 2006 explosive eruption of Home Reef Volcano in Tonga. We have constrained the trajectory, and rate, biomass and biodiversity of transfer, discovering more than 80 species and a substantial biomass underwent a >5000 km journey in 7-8 months. Differing microenvironmental conditions on the pumice, caused by relative stability of clasts at the sea surface, promoted diversity in biotic recruitment. Our findings emphasise pumice rafting as an important process facilitating the distribution of marine life, which have implications for colonisation processes and success, the management of sensitive marine environments, and invasive pest species.
authors: School of Geography, Geology and Environment, Kingston University, Kingston Upon Thames, Surrey, United Kingdom. scott.bryan@qut.edu.au
authors: Scott E
authors: SE
authors: Bryan
authors: Alex G
authors: AG
authors: Cook
authors: Jason P
authors: JP
authors: Evans
authors: Kerry
authors: K
authors: Hebden
authors: Lucy
authors: L
authors: Hurrey
authors: Peter
authors: P
authors: Colls
authors: John S
authors: JS
authors: Jell
authors: Dion
authors: D
authors: Weatherley
authors: Jennifer
authors: J
authors: Firn
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D044822:Biodiversity; D055669:Ecological and Environmental Phenomena; D009038:Motion; D017640:Silicates; D013997:Time Factors; D018707:Volcanic Eruptions
chemical_list: D017640:Silicates; C005144:pumice