From Disturbance to Recovery: Unveiling the Role of Goats and Ecological Drivers on Vegetation Dynamics of Trindade Island, South Atlantic, Brazil

Prepared by Felipe Zuñe, Márcia Gonçalves Rogério, Ruy José Válka Alves & Nílber Gonçalves da Silva

Trindade Island is a remote landmass in the South Atlantic Ocean, located more than 1,000 kilometers off the coast of Brazil. Although it may seem isolated, the island has experienced serious environmental challenges, many of them caused by human activity. One of the most significant problems began in the 1700s, when goats were introduced to the island. These animals, not native to Trindade, had no natural predators there. Over time, their population increased rapidly, and they began feeding on almost all available plants. This led to severe damage to the island’s natural vegetation, making it difficult for native plant species to survive.

In our study, we investigated how the island’s vegetation has changed over the last 30 years. To do this, we compared real photos and data from 1994 to 2024. Our goal was to understand how much the vegetation had changed and what roles goats and natural conditions like rainfall, temperature, and wind played in this process. We found that goats had a major impact on the island’s plant life, but they were not the only factor. Environmental conditions such as the amount of rainfall had a strong influence as well. In fact, the negative effects caused by goats were often intensified by these natural factors. This means that to fully understand the changes in the island’s vegetation, it is necessary to consider both biological and environmental elements together.

The encouraging news is that we also found signs of ecological recovery. In recent years, large areas of forest and grassland have begun to grow back. This recovery is likely related to the complete removal of goats from the island in 2005, as part of conservation efforts. This story is important not only for Trindade but also for many islands around the world. Islands often host unique species that do not exist anywhere else. However, because they are small and isolated, they are especially vulnerable to disruptions—particularly those caused by the introduction of non-native animals. Our research shows that even after serious environmental damage, nature has the potential to recover—if we understand the causes and take effective action. This study provides valuable insights to help scientists and decision-makers better protect island ecosystems and the many species that depend on them.

This is a plain language summary for the paper of Felipe Zuñe et al. (2025) published in the Journal of Vegetation Science (https://doi.org/10.1111/jvs.70039)