Land and Forest Iceland
Iceland's contributions to international desertification control efforts.
22nd January 2025
Two case studies from Iceland have just been added to the toolbox of the UN Convention on Desertification Control, UNCDD. It shares Iceland’s experiences from the Hekla Forest project and a project east of Þorlákshöfn where frequent sandstorms have been controlled.
The United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), finalised in Paris in 1994, aimed to raise global awareness of desertification and drought challenges, particularly in African nations, and to formulate effective countermeasures. Stemming from the 1992 Rio de Janeiro UN Conference on Environment and Development, Iceland ratified the Convention in 1997.
The UNCCD defines desertification as land degradation in arid, semi-arid, and dry sub-humid areas resulting from various factors, including climate change and human activities; this definition explicitly excludes polar and near-polar regions such as Iceland. Nevertheless, Iceland has made substantial contributions to global desertification efforts, notably by sharing its extensive experience in combating vegetation and soil erosion and restoring degraded ecosystems. A key element in this regard is the Land Restoration Training Programme, facilitated by UNESCO, to which Land and Forest Iceland provides substantial knowledge and personnel support.
In 2022, the UN/ECE, in collaboration with the World Meteorological Organization, FAO, and WOCAT (an international sustainable land use network), developed a specialised toolbox. The toolbox's recent update includes two Icelandic case studies, both overseen by Land and Forest Iceland. This was reported on December 10th of last year on the UN Convention to Combat Desertification website.
One successful initiative involved stabilising Hafnarsandur sand near Þorlákshöfn. Sand drift from the area east of the town had significantly impacted Þorlákshöfn's residents and businesses until extensive mitigation measures were implemented in the 1980s. Strategic planting of lyme grass and the construction of windbreaks proved crucial in establishing vegetation stability. Consequently, westward sand drift is now negligible in Þorlákshöfn.
The Hekla project, Iceland's largest birchwood reclamation initiative, serves as another compelling case study. Its primary objective is to restore birch forests in Hekla's vicinity, areas severely impacted by centuries of ash fall. Historically, these areas, including Þjórsárdalur, supported extensive birch forests, providing crucial ecological protection against ash eruptions. The subsequent forest loss rendered the soil and vegetation vulnerable. Reforestation with birch and shrubs mitigates the negative effects of future Hekla eruptions. The project leverages the birch's prolific seed production and natural self-seeding capabilities to accelerate reforestation across this expansive area. Furthermore, it utilises readily available organic waste, including bone meal, to establish a protective soil and vegetation layer, thereby enhancing the birch's self-seeding success.
WOCAT video reviews of Icelandic projects elucidate project nature, success, and the impact of erosive forces on Icelandic soil and vegetation resources since settlement.