Traveling to Iceland these days one will choose this destination not only for hot springs and waterfalls but also because of the harsh landscape. When the first settlers arrived in the 9th century the island looked different. Reports from that time suggest that the island was once covered in dense forests, from the coast to the mountains. As in most countries in Europe the forest was cut down when the population grew.

Today there are serious efforts to afforest the island. The Icelandic Forest Service is doing research on trees suitable for the changing climate and offers strategies and advice to local forest associations. This project follows the researchers and a group of voulunteers working on making the island green again.

Barren landscape in the hinterland of Reykjavik
Experimental greenhouse in Mógilsá. Research is conducted on trees from other climates which might be better suited for the coming climate conditions on the island.
Tree saplings in Mógilsá
Afforestated area at Bjarnafoss
After the forest where cut down, free-roaming sheeps hindered the cut down trees from regrowing
Geothermal spot in a village on the southern coast. The heat coming from the soils allows farmers to grow all kinds of vegetable in greenhouses.
Early geothermal greenhouses
Steinar Jensen, owner of Kvistar tree nursery. They grow around one million saplings for afforestation purposes each year.
Young saplings.
Volunteers from all over Europe, assisting in the afforestation efforts in Thingvellir
Young sapling after being planted.
Saplings planted in Thingvellir, from left to right: Siberian larch (Larix sibirica), Lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta), downy birch (Betula pubescens), grey alder (Alnus incana), engelmann spruce (Picea engelmannii)
Volunteer taking a break
Jón Ásgeir Jónson of the Icelandic Forestry Association (IFA) together with to volunteers. The results of their work will only be visible in years or decades when the trees have grown
Afforested area seen from the Kerið in southern Iceland

Forestry in Treeless Lands

Traveling to Iceland these days one will choose this destination not only for hot springs and waterfalls but also because of the harsh landscape. At first glance, the lack of trees seems fitting due to the rough climate. When the first settlers arrived in the 9th century the island looked different. Reports from that time suggest that the island was once covered in dense forests, from the coast to the mountains. As in most countries in Europe the forest was cut down when the population grew. Wood was needed for construction and heating. The sheep that roamed freely on the island loved the seedlings and prevented the forest from regrowing. In the following, the soil had no grip, eroded and was washed away.

Today there are serious efforts to afforest the island. The Icelandic Forest Service is doing research on trees suitable for the changing climate and offers strategies and advice to local forest associations. Schoolchildren as well as unemployed and volunteers are included in the process of making the island the place it once was. Growing forests is beneficial to local communities as well as the whole Icelandic economy. On a geographic level forests slow down winds and help to steady the soil. On a economic scale the forests can offer jobs and help reduce wood imports, making Iceland more independent in this sector.