Iceland, often imagined as a treeless expanse of volcanic rock and glaciers, does indeed have forests. While its current forest cover is limited, many mistakenly believe the country has always been treeless. Historically, the landscape differed significantly, and today, dedicated efforts aim to restore its green canopy.
Iceland’s Ancient Woodland
Before human settlement, about 1,150 years ago, Iceland had extensive woodlands. Birch forests and willow scrub covered a significant portion of the island, with estimates suggesting that between 25% and 40% of the land area was forested. The predominant tree species was the downy birch (Betula pubescens), which could grow up to 15 meters tall in sheltered valleys. Other native species included rowan (Sorbus aucuparia) and aspen (Populus tremula), though these were less common. This ancient woodland ecosystem provided habitat for various plant and animal species.
Factors Behind Forest Loss
The decline of Iceland’s forests began with human arrival and continued for centuries. Viking settlers, arriving in the 9th and 10th centuries, initiated widespread deforestation. They extensively logged birch trees for fuel, building materials, and charcoal production, essential for iron smelting. Beyond timber, a significant driver of forest clearance was the need for pastures and home-fields to support their agricultural practices.
The introduction of livestock, particularly sheep, further exacerbated the problem. Continuous grazing by sheep and other animals prevented the natural regeneration of young saplings, effectively halting forest regrowth. Iceland’s fragile volcanic soils, known as andosols, are highly susceptible to erosion once their protective vegetation cover is removed. Harsh subarctic climatic conditions, characterized by cold temperatures, strong winds, and short growing seasons, also hindered the recovery of vegetation. Periodic volcanic eruptions contributed to degradation, as lava flows and ashfall covered once-fertile areas.
The Modern Icelandic Forest
Today, forests and woodlands cover about 1.5% to 2% of Iceland’s total land area. While native birch remains the most common tree, many of these woodlands are fragmented and relatively young. Reforestation efforts have introduced non-native species like Sitka spruce, Siberian larch, and lodgepole pine, which are better suited to the challenging conditions and faster growth.
Despite the limited overall coverage, some notable forest areas exist. Hallormsstadaskogur in East Iceland is the country’s largest national forest, encompassing 740 hectares and featuring a diverse collection of tree species, including over 80 foreign varieties. In the North, Kjarnaskogur near Akureyri, covering around 800 hectares, has seen over 1.5 million trees planted since the 1950s, transforming former agricultural land into a recreational woodland. Since 1990, the total surface area covered by forests and shrubs in Iceland has increased more than sixfold, from 7,000 to 45,000 hectares.
Restoring Iceland’s Green Canopy
Extensive reforestation efforts are underway to reverse centuries of deforestation and land degradation. The Icelandic Forest Service, established in 1908, plays a central role in these initiatives, alongside local forestry associations and landowners. These programs involve planting new trees, with millions of seedlings planted annually, and encouraging natural regeneration, often within fenced areas to protect young growth from grazing livestock.
The goals of reforestation are multifaceted. They include combating severe soil erosion, which affects a large portion of the country, and sequestering carbon to help Iceland meet its climate change targets, such as becoming carbon neutral by 2040. Restoring forests also aims to enhance biodiversity by providing new habitats and supporting domestic wood production for various uses. These efforts also create recreational areas for the public and provide shelter on farmlands.
The Icelandic Forest Service has a long-term goal of increasing the country’s forest cover to 10% through reforestation and natural regrowth. Challenges remain, including the slow growth rate of trees in the subarctic climate and the continued need to manage sheep grazing.