|
Icelandic forests at settlement
|
Icelandic forests in year 2000. |
Iceland is without a doubt the most eroded country in Europe,
if not in the world. An enormous amount of woodland destruction
has occurred as well as soil erosion. It is estimated that
birch woodland covered at least 25-30% of the country at
the time of settlement, whereas today they only cover about
1%. The forests were felled for timber, cleared for agriculture
by burning and grazed by domestic animals, which had hitherto
been unknown. All this, together with the harsh climate,
volcanic activity and vulnerable soil formation, led to
huge forest destruction and soil erosion.
See
further statistics
- restore the fertility and stabilize the soil
- control water flow and thereby prevent water erosion and
flooding
- provide shelter
- rehabilitate the sward vegetation, making it more luxurious
- beautify the surroundings
|
