Iceland reforestation

In Iceland, a reforestation group is restoring a parcel of land called “Skógar” (or “forests”). It is both an historic and treasured site in Iceland. It was the location where, in the 9th century and beyond, tribal chiefs of the early settlers met to resolve disputes and discuss other issues. It is also the site where Matthias Jochumsson, the Poet-Laureate of Iceland, was born.

Matthias Jochumsson
Jochum Eggertsson

A nephew of Matthias Jochumsson, Jochum Eggertsson, famous in his own right, was known as a writer, poet, translator, amateur archaeologist and more. Jochum, too, had a great interest in Skógar, and in 1950 was able to purchase the land. He wanted to develop the land through reforestation. The area Jochum chose, because of its historic background and his family ties to it, was at that time isolated and the weather conditions were formidable. He worked alone, living in a small hut on the land, in the isolated northwest corner of Iceland, starting the replanting process as the first step in the effort to regrow the depleted forests. At that time only a handful of people in the country saw any meaning in what he was doing. This is reminiscent of the Man of the Trees, Richard St. Barbe Baker, who himself did not tread the common road.

The hut at Skógar

Jochum was one of the early members of the Baha’i Community in Iceland. Prior to his passing in 1966, he endowed the property at Skogar to the Baha’i Community with the stipulation that his reforestation efforts would be continued.

Skógar

Skógar was originally a farm with a land cover of 13 sq. Km, mostly mountainous. The site lies in northwest Iceland in a region called the Westfjords. Over time, the forests the farm takes its name from were slowly destroyed. There are early descriptions in Icelandic literature recounting the loss of forests in Iceland. The causes of deforestation include the early inhabitant’s use of wood for fuel and dwellings, the grazing of livestock, and destructive weather conditions. As the centuries went by and the forests disappeared,  the soil became exposed and eroded due to high winds, cold weather, surface water and other forces of nature. Already in the 1800’s the forests at Skógar, which had been highly prized at its settlement, had been lost, but some of the scrub remained.

Soil conservation

Ecosystem degradation is by far the largest environmental problem in Iceland. Vast areas have become deserts through the ages and it is a herculean task to reverse the process and regain what has been lost. There are areas which are desert-like with no vegetation, but these places respond well due to the moist environment.

Gravel bed May fertilised
July flowers
different flowers
holurt (Silene vulgaris)

When fertiliser is spread in May, by July all kinds of gravel bed flowers appear but the gravel beds reacted differently, some not at all, others with only one kind of flower. How do seeds from plants not found anywhere in the vicinity of these barren areas at Skógar find their way there? How long have they lain in the ground waiting for the right circumstances and nourishment to cause them to take root and grow? Why doesn’t the whole area burst into growth in the same way?

Forest restoration

At Skógar, restoring a holistic ecosystem is in two steps: the first is the re-establishment of a healthy soil system, followed by the sowing, seeding, cultivation and caring for new forest elements. Protecting the fragile growth from the destructive winter conditions of Iceland requires additional work. Frost, snow and heavy winds are common and in some places it is necessary to protect the young trees by building shelters.

Winter shelters

Some of the areas had adequate humidity and shelter that had protected the soil and allowed growth of some ground vegetation to thrive. In those places, it was possible to plant tree seedlings without delay. The trees were not for timber production, but the most diverse species of trees that could thrive in this north-western portion of Iceland. Some of the trees chosen included spruce, pine, larch, birch, elder, hemlock, mountain ash, and various species of willow and poplar.

Aerial photograph before: older planted trees in original birch woodlands
Aerial photograph after: newer gravel and vegetation along ponds and streams

The Icelandic nation faces gigantic task to regain the forest cover of the country. At the same time the world is heading into a future which is full of uncertainty, but the vision for Skógar and the future is positive. The land is diverse and magnificent and will in the near future act like an outdoor classroom for children and youth in the area, creating a general public interest in forestation and an assurance that forests can be restored even in the northernmost parts of the country.

older restoration
young conifer sheltered by birch scrub

SOURCE based on https://www.internationaltreefoundation.org/news/a-story-from-iceland-a…