The striking, treeless landscape of Iceland presents a stark contrast to the forested countries of Scandinavia. Travelers often observe the vast, open terrain and assume the environment is simply too cold or harsh for trees to grow. This visual impression, however, obscures a complex history and a delicate ecological balance. The current appearance of the island is the result of a profound interaction between human activity and the unique natural features of the land.
A Land Once Wooded
Iceland was not originally a treeless land. Historical evidence confirms that between 25% and 40% of the island’s land area was covered in woodland when the first human settlers arrived around 870 AD. This vegetation consisted primarily of downy birch, or Betula pubescens, which is the only native tree species that forms woodlands in Iceland.
These woodlands were typically low-growing, with the birch trees reaching heights of up to 15 meters in sheltered valleys, though they often graded into willow scrub in more exposed areas. The native birch forests and scrubland covered the lowland areas, forming a protective layer over the fragile volcanic soil.
The Settlers’ Impact: Rapid Deforestation
The rapid disappearance of Iceland’s woodlands began almost immediately following the arrival of the Norse settlers in the late 9th century. These early inhabitants placed intense pressure on the limited tree resources for survival. Wood was necessary for building materials, including houses, ships, and fences.
The settlers also required large amounts of wood for fuel, both for heating and for the production of charcoal. Charcoal was essential for iron smelting and other metalworking. Furthermore, large swaths of forest were deliberately cleared to create grazing land for imported livestock, particularly sheep. This combination of logging and clearing led to the removal of the original forests within a few centuries of settlement.
Environmental Barriers to Regrowth
Once the protective tree cover was removed, the natural features of the island created significant obstacles for forest recovery. Iceland’s soil is largely composed of erodible andosols, which are thin soils derived from volcanic ash and lava. These soils are low in organic matter, making them vulnerable to disturbance.
The removal of tree roots destabilized this ground, allowing strong winds and water runoff to strip away the topsoil. The resulting barren land, which today is up to 45% desert-prone, inhibited the growth of new trees. The harsh climate, characterized by short growing seasons and extreme wind exposure, makes it difficult for tree seedlings to establish themselves and survive.
The Modern Icelandic Landscape and Reforestation
The landscape of Iceland today is dominated by low-growing vegetation like mosses, grasses, and shrubs, with woodlands covering only about 1% to 2% of the land area. Since the early 20th century, significant national reforestation and afforestation efforts (skogrækt) have been underway.
These modern programs involve planting millions of seedlings annually to combat soil erosion and restore biodiversity. While the native downy birch remains a focus, it is slow-growing and often struggles in the degraded soil. To achieve quicker results and greater resilience, foresters have introduced non-native species, such as Sitka spruce, Lodgepole pine, and Siberian larch, which are sourced from cold-hardy regions like Alaska. Although the pace is slow, with a target of 5% forest cover in the coming decades, the focused effort to plant trees and reclaim eroded land is gradually changing the appearance of parts of Iceland.