During the 100-150 years since they were introduced to the Aleutian Islands, the Arctic fox (Alopex lagopus) and Norway rat (Rattus norvegicus) have extirpated native seabirds from most of the islands through predation. Burrow nesting species have been particularly affected. The Least Auklet (Aethia pusilla) is an abundant seabird species in the Aleutian Islands. The introduction of foxes and rats to many islands and the subsequent loss of seabirds have indirectly affected other characteristics of island ecosystems, such as soil nutrient levels, plant community composition, and predominant nutrient sources (terrestrial versus marine). This photograph originally appeared on the cover of Ecological Monographs (76:1) in February of 2006.