Characteristic features, ecology and natural history:
1) introduction
The remarkable position of Iceland as a large island in the North Atlantic — roughly halfway between North America and Eurasia — raises the question of whether its flora possesses unique or otherwise distinctive characteristics. This question becomes even more intriguing given Iceland's highly volcanic nature.
The following pages discuss these topics:
1) Introduction (this page – continues below this list)
2) Is the flora North American or European?
3) The main vegetation types
4) Regional differences in the flora
5) The influence of the Ice Ages and the recolonisation of Iceland after the last glacial period
Characteristic features
The vascular flora of Iceland comprises no more than about 490 species(2), which is remarkably low. Another striking feature is the small number of endemic species. One of the best-known endemic plants is the Icelandic hawkweed (Psilosella islandica a.k.a. Hieracium islandicum) - Islandsfífill Icelandic hawkweed (Psilosella islandica a.k.a. Hieracium islandicum) - Islandsfífill . Given Iceland's isolation from the major land masses, one might expect a much larger number of endemic species. However, in evolutionary terms the time since the last glaciation has been relatively short, leaving little opportunity for speciation. Besides the Icelandic hawkweed, two other species have been recognised as endemic: Elymus alopex (bearded couch) and Euphrasia calida, although the taxonomic status of the latter remains uncertain. Within apomictic groups such as the dandelions (Taraxacum spp.), additional endemic microspecies may exist, but these fall beyond the scope of these pages. Two species may be regarded as near-endemics, being: Faroer Lady's-mantle (Alchemilla faroensis - Maríuvöttur) Faroer Lady's-mantle (Alchemilla faroensis - Maríuvöttur) which occurs in eastern Iceland and on the Faroe Islands, and the Northern green orchid (Platanthera hyperborea - Friggjargras) Northern green orchid (Platanthera hyperborea - Friggjargras) which is also found in Greenland and on a single island in Hudson Bay, Canada.
Total number of species: approximately 490(2)
Clearly European: about 100(1)
Clearly American: about 10(1)
Circumpolar: about 150
Remaining species have European, North American or worldwide distributions(1)
The human impact on Iceland's flora and vegetation
The influence of humans on Iceland's vegetation can broadly be divided into two phases: the impact of the medieval Norse settlers and the more recent effects of modern land use. The early settlers cleared most of Iceland's original birch woodlands. For more information, see the section on vegetation types sec forests. Even today, certain agricultural practices remain controversial. Sheep farming is deeply rooted in Icelandic culture and history, making discussions about its role in land degradation politically and socially sensitive. Nevertheless, awareness of soil erosion has grown considerably. One widely adopted measure was the introduction of a single species from Alaska: the Nootka lupine (Lupinus nootkatensis - Lúpina) Nootka lupine (Lupinus nootkatensis - Lúpina) believing that this would solve the problem. It was widely sown along roadsides and in areas affected by severe soil erosion. Although highly successful in stabilising the soil, the species has spread extensively, often forming dense monocultures that leave little room for native species!
Source:
– 1: The Vegetation and Flora of Iceland, Hörður Kristinsson American Rock Garden Society Bulletin,Vol. 33, July 1975: 105 – 111
– 2: Info from the Natural History Institute of Iceland 2017
Continue with:
1) introduction (this page)
2) Is the flora North American or European?
3) The main vegetation types
4) Regional differences in the flora
5) The influence of the Ice Ages and the recolonisation of Iceland after the last glacial period