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Iceland is growing new forests for the first time in 1,000 years

Screenshot: Iceland growing forests
Iceland was extensively forested when it was first settled. When the Vikings first arrived in the 9th century, the Nordic island was covered in 25 to 40 percent forest, compared to 1% in the present day. In the late 12th century, Ari the Wise (Ari Thorgilsson, 1067–1148 AD), Iceland’s most prominent medieval chronicler, described it in the Íslendingabók (Book of IcelandersNotes 1) as “forested from mountain to sea shore”. Unfortunately, after the permanent human settlement, the forests were heavily exploited for firewood, timber and to make room for farming. Within a few centuries, almost all of Iceland’s trees were gone. This rapid deforestation has resulted in massive soil erosion that puts the island at risk for desertification. Today, many farms have been abandoned. Three-quarters of Iceland’s 100,000 km2is affected by soil erosion, 18,000 km2 (6,900 sq mi) serious enough to make the land useless. But,, with the help of forestry societies and forest farmers, Iceland's trees are slowly beginning to make a comeback.

Iceland was extensively forested when it was first settled. When the Vikings first arrived in the 9th century, the Nordic island was covered in 25 to 40 percent forest, compared to 1% in the present day. In the late 12th century, Ari the Wise (Ari Thorgilsson, 1067-1148 AD), Iceland’s most prominent medieval chronicler, described it in the Íslendingabók (Book of Icelanders (see notes 1) as “forested from mountain to seashore”.

Unfortunately, after the permanent human settlement, the forests were heavily exploited for firewood, timber and to make room for farming. Within a few centuries, almost all of Iceland’s trees were gone. This rapid deforestation has resulted in massive soil erosion that puts the island at risk for desertification. Today, many farms have been abandoned. Three-quarters of Iceland’s 100,000 km2 (39,000 sq mi) is affected by soil erosion, 18,000 km2 (6,900 sq mi) serious enough to make the land useless.

Forest

Related: Massive forest restoration may help to slow Global Warming

Instituto Terra Forest

Related: Brazilian couple plants 2 million trees, creates a new forest

Today, the Icelandic Forest Service (see notes 2) has taken on the mammoth task of bringing back the woodlands. The organization plant around three million seedlings each year in the island’s soil. With the help of forestry societies and forest farmers, Iceland’s trees are slowly beginning to make a comeback. But there are many difficulties. For example, as the climate getting warmer, the winters have become milder.

As a result, many of the trees planted back in the 1950s, especially Siberian larch (Larix sibirica) are literally dying after several decades of being reasonably good. Watch this short film by Euforgen (published by the National Geographic channel) to learn more about how their efforts are working to benefit Iceland’s economy and ecology through forestry.

Video: Iceland is growing new forests for the first time in 1,000 years

Iceland is growing new forests for the first time in 1,000 years: The landscape of Iceland has changed a lot in a thousand years. When the Vikings first arrived in the ninth century, the land was covered in 25 to 40 percent forest. Today, the Icelandic Forest Service has taken on the mammoth task of bringing back the forests.

Produced by Duckrabbit
Directed by Ewa Hermanowicz

Ewa Hermanowicz is a science communicator with a particular interest in film and photography. Since 2012, she has been producing films highlighting stories around the research on genetic biodiversity. Locations of her films include India, Zambia, Iceland, UK, Germany, France. She has covered all stages of production, from finding the story through direction, editing to promotion.

Iceland is growing new forests for the first time in 1,000 years
Iceland is growing new forests for the first time in 1,000 years: Today, with the help of forestry societies and forest farmers, Iceland’s trees are slowly beginning to make a comeback.

Notes

  1. Íslendingabók (Book of Icelanders; Latin: Libellus Islandorum) is an early 12th-century historical work dealing with early Icelandic history. The author was an Icelandic priest, Ari Þorgilsson (1067-1148 AD). Historians consider the work the most reliable extant source on early Icelandic history.
  2. The Icelandic Forest Service is an institution that works with and for the government, the public and other interested parties, on the subjects of research, development, consultation, and distribution of knowledge within forestry. The institution is also Iceland’s representative in cooperation with other countries. See the institution’s official website.

Sources

M. Özgür Nevres
Latest posts by M. Özgür Nevres (see all)
Özgür Nevres

By M. Özgür Nevres

I am a software developer and a science enthusiast. I was graduated from the Istanbul Technical University (ITU), Computer Engineering. In the past, I worked at the Istanbul Technical University Science Center as a science instructor. I write about the planet Earth and science on this website, ourplnt.com. I am also an animal lover! I take care of stray cats & dogs. This website's all income goes directly to our furry friends. Please consider supporting me on Patreon, so I can help more animals!

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