Faroe Islands, Denmark Photograph by Galen R. Frysinger   Northern Europe: Island group north of United Kingdom Temperate Grasslands, Savannas, and Shrublands   500 square miles (1,400 square kilometers) -- about half the size of Rhode Island Vulnerable

· Seabird Perfect
· Special Features
· Did You Know?
· Wild Side
· Cause for Concern
More Photos

Seabird Perfect

This collection of 18 islands in the North Atlantic provides 696 miles (1,120 km) of rugged seacoast where seabirds roost and breed on the cliffs and the steep, grass-covered slopes. Only the thinnest layer of peat soil covers these rocky islands, permitting only a small amount of vegetation to grow.

Special Features

Almost equidistant from Iceland, Norway, and Scotland, the Faroe Islands rise above the North Atlantic as volcanic rocks. Vegetation consists mostly of mosses and grasses, while the hilly topography provides a few pockets where wetlands and woods exist. In this windy and wet environment, people sustain themselves by fishing and herding sheep and a few cows. The islands are characterized by a wet, oceanic climate where overcast skies are frequent. Harbors never freeze here because of the influence of the Gulf Stream current.

	Manx shearwaters gather in large flocks at the end of each day and float on the ocean surface, waiting for darkness. That’s when they return to their nesting colonies to feed their young.

Wild Side

Seabirds are the dominant native animals. A total of 49 species of sea birds regularly nest on the cliffs and shores of these islands such as guillemots, fulmars, great skuas, razorbills, cormorants, kittiwakes, northern gannet, and European shag. Inland great colonies of eider ducks, golden plovers, rock doves and oystercatchers nest, while puffins and shearwaters are found along the steep, grassy slopes. Around 200 additional bird species will migrate through these islands occasionally.

Cause for Concern

There were no native land mammals here prior to human settlement, but now there are several species of introduced animals including rats, mice and rabbits. The brown rat, however, has had the greatest effect on native species. On several islands it has caused great declines or local extinctions of Manx shearwaters and puffins by feeding on the birds’ eggs. Livestock grazing has altered the native vegetation, but agriculture is minimal. Finally, the ocean floor surrounding these islands may contain reserves of petroleum. Exploration for petroleum is planned for the next few years and could harm the seabirds by polluting the waters and interfering with migration and nest sites.

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