Vegetation

Only about one-quarter of the total area of Iceland has a continuous plant cover, due mainly to the unfavourable climate, volcanic activity, glacier movements and overgrazing. About 470 species of native vascular plants are to be found, exceptionally low figure, and about half are thought to be glacial survivors from the Ice Age. The most common vegetation consists of various low-growing shrubs, especially heather, crowberry, bog whortleberry, bearberry, willow and dwarf birch.

The vegtation has greatly deteriorated during eleven centuries of human habitation, accompanied by extensive soil erosion. Once widespread birch wood were destroyed by ruthless cutting and grazing, so that only stray remnants of them still survive.

Since early 20th century, steps have been taken to halt erosion by afforestation, reseeding and fencing off land to keep out sheep. And in recent years large-scale official and private volunteer afforestation schemes have been undertaken. The largest trees are now found in the birch woods Hallormstaðarskógur in the east and Vaglaskógur in the north.

In general the vegetation in Iceland is subartic in charater and distinguished by an abundance of grasses, sedges and related species. Grasslands, bogs and marshes are extensive, and there is much moorland and heatland. But all over the country, also in the inhabited lowlands, there are large areas of bare rock, stony deserts, sandy wastelands and lava fields.

Icelandic Daisies
Source: Iceland Tourist Board