摘要：The frequency of large natural disturbances has increased over thelast 20 years [1-3], affecting physical infrastructure, shattering local,regional and national economies [4] and reshaping natural ecosystems[5,6]. Notwithstanding the last fact, there is no much knowledge onthe immediate effects (i.e. weeks, months) on natural ecosystems oflarge natural disturbances such as earthquakes, tsunamis, volcaniceruptions, fires and floods, among others. Indeed, it has been stronglyargued that fast responses to study the effects of such disturbances, arethe best way to foster proper knowledge on their mid and long lastingeffects, studies which may well result in surprising findings, the so callecological surprises [7,8]. For example, studies initiated circa 1.5 yearsafter the severe 1988 fires in Yellowstone National Park (Wyoming,USA), showed that the vegetation of the affected area was quite resilient,a fact that surprised scientists, a similar situation found by researcherswho studied the effects of the 1980 Mount St Helen´s volcanic eruptionon the surrounding environment [5,9].
