Iceland is often pictured as a land of dramatic, barren landscapes, leading to the misconception that the island is almost entirely devoid of trees. While it is one of the least forested countries in Europe, this image is not entirely accurate. The nation possesses measurable forest cover, though it is vastly different from the dense woods found across much of the European continent.
Current Forest Statistics
The most recent comprehensive figures indicate that forests and woodlands cover just over 2% of Iceland’s total land area. This relatively small proportion has been steadily increasing from a low point of less than 1% in the mid-20th century. The total area of wooded land is currently estimated at around 156,800 hectares, a figure that includes both natural and planted areas.
This woodland coverage is typically divided into two main categories: native birch scrub and cultivated forests. The natural birchwoods, primarily composed of downy birch (Betula pubescens), account for about 1.5% of the land area, existing mostly as low-growing scrubland. A stricter international definition, which counts only trees taller than five meters, reports a much lower percentage, closer to 0.5% of the total landmass.
The largest continuous forest area is Hallormsstaðaskógur National Forest, located in East Iceland near Lake Lagarfljót. Established in 1905, this protected area covers approximately 740 hectares. Hallormsstaðaskógur functions as a research center, hosting an arboretum that features more than 80 foreign tree species planted to test their suitability for the Icelandic climate.
Historical Decline of Icelandic Forests
When the first Norse settlers arrived in Iceland around 870 AD, the landscape was far more forested than it is today. Historical and scientific evidence suggests that between 25% and 40% of the island was covered in birch forest and woodland. These native birchwoods extended from the coast well into the mountains in many sheltered valleys.
The loss of this original forest cover resulted primarily from human settlement. Early settlers cleared large tracts of land for grazing livestock and to harvest timber for building materials. Wood was also converted into charcoal, a necessary fuel source for ironworking and heating in a land with few other readily available resources.
This rapid deforestation was compounded by the grazing habits of imported livestock, particularly sheep. Unrestricted grazing prevented the natural regeneration of birch forests by consuming young saplings. While secondary factors like volcanic activity and the Little Ice Age also hindered recovery, continuous grazing pressure was the main driver that pushed the forest cover below 1% over the following centuries.
Active Reforestation Programs
Recognizing this historical ecological damage has led to sustained national efforts to restore Iceland’s woodlands. Organizations like the Icelandic Forest Service (Skógræktin) lead afforestation projects across the country. These efforts aim not only at landscape restoration but also at mitigating soil erosion, a problem on the fragile volcanic soil.
A key national goal is to increase the country’s forest cover to 12% by the year 2100. This long-term objective is being pursued through a strategy that balances native species with hardy, non-native varieties. The native downy birch remains a primary choice because it is well-adapted to the local conditions and plays an important role in stabilizing eroded land.
However, non-native conifers, such as Siberian larch (Larix sibirica) and Sitka spruce (Picea sitchensis), are also planted extensively for their faster growth and greater timber productivity. These introduced species are essential to the dual purpose of the reforestation programs: to sequester atmospheric carbon dioxide and to provide windbreaks in the harsh climate.
Ongoing initiatives involve fencing off large areas to protect young trees from grazing livestock, which remains a challenge to successful forest establishment. Through these sustained efforts, Iceland is actively working to reverse centuries of decline and transform the landscape.