Ascension Island, United Kingdom Photograph by Tony Baczynski   Island in the southern Atlantic Ocean, about half way between South America and Africa Tropical and Subtropical Grasslands, Savannas, and Shrublands   50 square miles (100 square kilometers) -- about the size of Washington DC Critical/Endangered

· Ocean Hot Spot
· Special Features
· Did You Know?
· Wild Side
· Cause for Concern
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Ocean Hot Spot

Because it sits on a volcano, the Ascension Scrub and Grasslands ecoregion is literally a hot spot for biodiversity. The ecoregion covers Ascension Island, a dormant volcano that rises from the ocean floor to a height of 2,800 feet (850 m) above sea level. In addition to the shrubs and grasses of this ecoregion, you’ll find a diversity of other species, from flowering plants to breeding sea birds.

Special Features

Although the last volcanic eruption was more than 600 years ago, lava fields and cinder cones still cover much of Ascension Island. But that doesn’t mean that plants don’t thrive here. As warm winds blow in off the Atlantic Ocean, they rise up the sides of the volcano and condense to form rain. This makes great growing conditions for flowering grasses and shrubs, ferns, bryophytes, and lichens above about 2,000 feet (600 m).

	The bird Gygis alba, often called the fairy tern, has enchanted many an onlooker. Its silky-white plumage, blue eyes, and slender, translucent wings have inspired many names for the bird, including "bird of peace," "love tern," and "Holy Ghost bird."

Wild Side

Ascension Island is an important sea-bird rookery. Species such as the sooty tern, fairy tern, white booby, brown booby, and endemic Ascension frigate birds can all be found within the ecoregion. The beaches and coastal pools around the island, which are home to an endemic shrimp species, are also important breeding grounds for the endangered green sea turtle. Because it is so remote, there are no mammals native to the island.

Cause for Concern

Introductions of plants and animals to the island by humans threaten the native vegetation and bird life. Cats, which were introduced to help control introduced rats, have had an especially serious impact on bird populations.

For more information on this ecoregion, go to the World Wildlife Fund Scientific Report.