The wildlife of the Falkland Islands is very similar to that of Patagonia. The Falkland Islands do not have any native reptiles or amphibians, and the only native land mammal, the warrah, is now extinct. However, many bird species can be found around the islands, and many of these birds breed on the smaller islands in the archipelago. Insects are important in the ecosystem of the islands, and more than 200 insect species have been recorded. The waters near the Falkland Islands support many animals, including several types of marine mammals. Three species of pinnipeds, which are sea mammals, breed on the islands.

There are no native trees in the area, which has led to the growth of many types of grass. One example is tussac grass, whose thick leaves create a small climate that helps many birds and invertebrates live. Small bushes and a few types of freshwater plants also grow in the area. The types of plants found depend on factors like soil fertility, humidity, and altitude.

There is not enough information about many species on the islands, and there is also not enough long-term data about the environment. Animals that were introduced to the islands are harming native wildlife, which is now mostly found on smaller islands far from the main islands. Some native animals are protected, but many are not, because there is not enough information about them.

Ecological zones and habitats

The Falkland Islands are a group of islands located about 650 km (400 mi) from South America in the south Atlantic Ocean. In terms of biology and geography, the Falkland Islands are part of the Antarctic ecozone and Antarctic Floristic Kingdom. The islands have strong links to the plants and animals of Patagonia in South America, especially those found in Tierra del Fuego. Originally, the Falkland Islands were connected to the African continent instead of South America. This suggests that the wildlife on the islands likely arrived by traveling across water.

The archipelago includes two main islands, East Falkland and West Falkland, as well as more than 700 smaller islands. There are 19 different types of land habitats on the islands. The soil varies because the western part of the islands is drier than the eastern part, and because of differences in height. Many coastal areas have tussac grass, which grows best in areas with high humidity and salty air. Inland areas often have heath, which includes grass, shrubs, or feldmark made up of cushion plants. Lowland areas have acidic, peaty soil that is not very fertile. These lowlands support grass in wetter areas but only shrubs in drier areas. In places with more nutrients, lowlands can support turf, though most peat is shallow and sits on top of clay. Mountain areas are covered mostly by cushion plants, moss, and lichen-dominated heaths.

Fauna

The Falkland Islands had only one land mammal when Europeans first arrived—the Falkland Islands wolf, also called the warrah. This animal lived on both major islands. It was once believed that Patagonian Indians brought the warrah to the islands as a hunting dog. However, a 2009 DNA study by scientists at UCLA showed that the warrah arrived on the islands long before humans reached the Americas. It may have crossed an ice bridge when sea levels were very low, such as during cold periods 340,000, 150,000, or 25,000 years ago. The warrah’s closest living relative is the maned wolf, a South American canid. The warrah became extinct in the mid-1800s as people settled on the islands.

Fourteen species of marine mammals, including killer whales, Peale’s dolphins, Commerson’s dolphins, leopard seals, southern elephant seals, and southern sea lions, live near the islands. Elephant seals, fur seals, and sea lions breed on the islands, with the largest elephant seal breeding site having more than 500 animals. Other species, especially whales, are sometimes seen in the area. Large whale populations, once greatly reduced by illegal whaling by the Soviet Union until the late 1970s, are now recovering. These include southern right whales, humpback whales, blue whales, fin whales, sei whales, and sperm whales.

Over 227 bird species have been seen on the islands, with more than 60 breeding there. Of these, 21 are land birds, 18 are water birds, and 22 seabirds breed on the islands. At least 18 bird species migrate to the islands each year to breed. Two bird species are found only on the Falkland Islands—the Falkland steamer duck and Cobb’s wren. There are also 14 endemic bird subspecies.

Five penguin species breed on the islands: king penguins, southern rockhopper penguins, Magellanic penguins, gentoo penguins, and macaroni penguins. About 494,500 breeding pairs are believed to live on the islands, with 500 of these being king penguins. Five other penguin species have been recorded but do not breed there. The largest population of black-browed albatrosses in the world is found on the Falkland Islands, making up over 80% of the global population. This is the only albatross species that breeds on the islands, though nine others have been recorded. Many petrel species also nest on the islands. Most bird colonies are located on remote offshore islands.

Inland, upland and ruddy-headed geese live near freshwater ponds, along with silver teal, Chiloé wigeon, and white-tufted grebe. Six species of herons and egrets have been recorded, though only the black-crowned night heron breeds in the area.

There are no native reptiles or amphibians on the islands. Over 200 insect species, 43 spider species, and 12 worm species have been recorded. More than 60 true fly species, 12 wasp species, and 20 butterfly and moth species live on the islands. There are 110 beetle species, including 15 ground beetles, 20 weevils, and 16 darkling beetles. Fifteen hemiptera species and 12 booklice species are also present. Thirteen terrestrial invertebrates are known to be endemic, though many species are not fully studied. It is suspected that up to two-thirds of the species found on the islands are actually endemic, including 16 spider species. Insects are important for breaking down dead material and are a major food source for some birds. Due to the island environment, many insect species have smaller or no wings. Around 129 freshwater invertebrates live in the area, mostly rotifers, though some species are not yet fully identified.

Six fish species live in freshwater areas, including the zebra trout (Aplochiton zebra) and the Falklands minnow (Galaxias maculatus), which is one of the most widespread fish species globally. Many of these native fish spend part of their lives in the ocean. Introduced brown trout have become established in many freshwater streams and have grown larger due to sea runs. Because of the introduction of brown trout and other fish, the native zebra trout is now limited to small streams in remote parts of West Falkland and Lafonia. Different types of krill live in Falkland waters, with lobster krill found in the warmer northern regions.

Flora

Vegetation on the archipelago includes grasses, ferns, and shrubs. Around 363 species of vascular plants have been recorded on the island, with 171 of these species being native and 13 being found only there. There are 21 species of ferns and clubmosses, and 278 species of flowering plants. No native tree species grow on the island, but two types of bushes, fachine and native box, are present. Some bogs and fens exist, and freshwater plants include soft-camp bog (Astelia pumila), dwarf marigold (Caltha appendiculata), gaimardia (Gaimardia australis), and the carnivorous sundew Drosera uniflora.

Tussac grass, which typically grows 2 meters (6.6 feet) tall but can reach up to 4 meters (13 feet), forms a dense clump of vegetation around a central fibrous structure. These grasses can live for over 200 years and grow large enough for birds to nest on. Tussac grass requires high humidity and salty air, so it is found no farther than 300 meters (1,000 feet) from the coast. This causes it to form bands around larger islands. The dead leaves that collect in these areas make the soil fertile, but few other plants can grow due to the thick grass. The dense grass canopies create a sheltered microclimate that supports many birds and invertebrates.

Heath areas are common inland and consist of grasses or shrubs. The most common grass species is whitegrass (Cortaderia pilosa), which covers much of the main islands. These grasses support other flowering plants, as well as insects and birds. Shrub heath is made up mostly of low-growing shrubs like diddle-dee (Empetrum rubrum) and also includes many other plant species, along with invertebrates and small birds. In feldmark environments, which are found on exposed ridges and higher ground, cushion plants such as balsam bog (Bolax gummifera) grow. Ferns can also be found in these areas. In the most extreme environments, only lichen and specialized plants like snakeplants (Nassauvia serpens) can grow. Over 400 species of lichens and lichen-dwelling fungi in 161 genera have been recorded on the island. Teaberry (Myrteola nummularia) grows in marshy areas.

The pale maiden (Olsynium filifolium) is the proposed national flower of the Falkland Islands.

Issues and introduced species

There is not much information about how habitats have changed over time, so the full effect of human activity is not clear. However, threats like invasive species and camp burning are known. Plants such as tussac grass, fachine, and native box have been greatly harmed by introduced grazing animals. Tussac grass now lives in only 20% of the area it once covered, mostly on offshore islands, because it is extremely sensitive. Many bird species that breed on the islands now live only on offshore islands, where introduced animals like cats and rats are not found. The only native land mammal, the warrah, was wiped out in the mid-1800s.

Wildlife tourism is increasing, and efforts are being made to protect the islands' wildlife. Some protection is provided by the Conservation of Wildlife and Nature Ordinance 1999. Only two bird species do not have legal protection. One fish species, the zebra trout, is protected. Because there is not enough information about invertebrates, legislation only protects butterflies.

Almost all of the islands are used for sheep farming. There is also an introduced reindeer population, brought to the islands in 2001 for commercial purposes. Rats have been introduced, and guanacos were brought to the area south of Mount Pleasant in 1862 so Prince Alfred could hunt them in 1871. However, this effort was mostly unsuccessful, and guanacos survived only on Staats Island. South American gray foxes were introduced and are harming shore-nesting birds, as are feral cats. Many invertebrate species have been introduced since Europeans arrived, some filling roles that were not previously filled. House sparrows and domestic geese are the only introduced bird species. Introduced fish species include the brown trout. Twenty-two introduced plant species are believed to pose a serious threat to local plants.

The climate, soil, and lack of knowledge and protection have made past attempts to grow trees on the islands largely unsuccessful, even though several efforts have been made over the past 80 years. Trees could help protect sheep by reducing the effects of cold winds, improving lamb survival, and helping sheep recover from stress. Trees might also allow for farming crops, providing shelter and improving soil quality. A 1983 study suggested that planting trees for wind protection might be possible, but imported trees would be needed because it was not practical to grow enough trees on the islands. Small tree plots exist, but they are mostly near homes and gardens.

There are a few areas with introduced trees on the islands, mainly Monterey cypress. The Hill Cove Forest, established in the 1880s, covers about 2 hectares. The 1982 Memorial Wood at Port Stanley has 255 trees, one for each UK soldier killed in the Falklands War. There is also a group of Monterey cypress and New Zealand cabbage palms at Port Patterson on Carcass Island.