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Deforestation
Deforestation of Iceland has been a result of human impact and the climate. Since the island’s settlement in the 7th century, the native forests and woodlands have been cut down for fuel and for timber. Upon settlement, it had a rich environment, but it was fragile. After consistent logging and resource exploitation, only about 1.9% of the country is a forest or woodland, mostly made up of small birch and willows. There have been projects to improve the nation's woodland through the Icelandic Forestry Service. ALL 2

Soil erosion
Soil erosion is a major environmental degradation issue for Iceland with 39% of the country's land being categorized as having extensive soil erosion. The country’s woodlands and forests have been exploited for fuel and timber and as settlements grew, livestock populations increased and agriculture expanded (2). Many natural and anthropogenic causes have made Iceland a scarce landscape made up of grasses, moss, and short, thin trees, such as pine and birch (3). Its lack of vegetation cover has left the soil more vulnerable to weathering and natural catastrophe events, such as volcanic activity and landslides (2). Iceland’s cold climate slows plant growth, leaving the soil susceptible to the impact of strong winds (2). Soil erosion, and land degradation in general, decreases biodiversity and the health of the surrounding ecosystems.

The government of Iceland and its people have undertaken many soil restoration projects. They created the Soil Conservation Service of Iceland (SCS) in 1909 which works on ecosystem restoration projects (2). In 2007, they organized the Hekluskógar project where local landowners and farmers were encouraged to plant native birch and willows on their lands (3). By 2010 over 2.3 million seedlings were planted in small inlets around the country (3).

Overgrazing
Soil erosion rates are also increased by overgrazing. Sheep are one of the primary livestock of Iceland and have been there for centuries. During this time, the sheep have grazed on the native vegetation and have begun to exhaust the local resources as the sheep populations grew. A lack of preventative policy led to overgrazing in multiple areas across the country. The persistent issue of land degradation caused by overgrazing and land exploitation remains a pressing concern.

Other

 * Geothermal energy use
 * Laki eruption
 * Jökulhlaup
 * Fluorosis
 * 2008 Iceland earthquake