Nature in Iceland

Iceland lies on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge above a mantle plume, which produces active volcanic belts, fissures, faults, young basaltic bedrock and geothermal areas. Its natural landscapes include glaciers, glacier lagoons, glacial rivers, waterfalls, springs, fjords, valleys, beaches, dunes, coasts, wetlands, lakes, lava fields, craters, tuff ridges, caves and high- and low-temperature geothermal fields. Climate, altitude, snow cover, glacier retreat, erosion and human land use create strong regional differences. Iceland has 41 active volcanic systems, and eruptions occur on average about every three to six years. Iceland has 105 mapped habitat types: 64 terrestrial, 17 freshwater and 24 coastal. Natural and semi-natural habitats include mires, lava-moss heaths, birch woodland, alpine vegetation, geothermal bare ground, glaciers and sandur floodplains formed by glacial rivers and jökulhlaups. Geothermal fields, geysers, hot springs, geothermal species and geological deposits can be legally sensitive or protected. Around 130 friðlýst svæði, meaning protected areas, safeguard landscapes, plants, animals, ecosystems, geological formations, wilderness and scientific or educational values. The categories include national parks, nature reserves, natural monuments, country parks, protected habitats, landscape protection areas and Ramsar wetlands. Iceland has three national parks. Restrictions differ by site and can regulate access, marked trails, camping, riding, cycling, vehicles, drones, construction, filming, research, hunting and fishing. Surtsey is closed to public traffic unless permission is granted. Náttúruverndarstofnun, the Nature Conservation Agency of Iceland, is responsible for nature conservation, protected areas, wildlife and hunting administration, rangers, visitor centres and many permits. Náttúrufræðistofnun, the Natural Science Institute of Iceland, conducts research and maintains species, habitat and geological information, monitoring, Red Lists, collections and conservation advice. Þingvellir National Park has a separate authority. Municipalities and site owners manage some local areas, while Orkustofnun administers energy resources and the Framework Plan, known as Rammaáætlun. Management and protection plans can set land-use rules, infrastructure measures, monitoring, education and visitor arrangements. Almannaréttur means public access rights in nature. People may generally walk across uncultivated land with care, while respecting property, fences, signs, marked routes, vegetation, wildlife and seasonal restrictions. Motorised off-road driving is prohibited by law, apart from a narrow exception for snow or frozen ground where driving will not damage nature. One night of tent camping on uncultivated land is generally allowed subject to signs and local rules; groups should consult the landowner, and designated campsites are preferred. Gathering berries, plants and mushrooms depends on land, species and quantity rules, and protected plants must not be damaged. Fishing rights usually belong to landowners, fishing associations or other rights-holders. Hunting outside one’s property requires a hunting card and compliance with species and season rules. Iceland has comparatively low terrestrial species diversity because the island was colonised after the last glacial period. It has about 490 wild vascular plant species, around 5,000 to 6,000 plant and fungal species overall, more than 2,000 recorded freshwater and terrestrial animal species, and more than 2,500 marine animal species in the Icelandic exclusive economic zone. The Arctic fox is Iceland’s only native land mammal. Other wildlife includes marine mammals, seabirds, waterbirds, reindeer, mink, invertebrates and freshwater species. Act No. 64/1994 broadly protects wild birds and land mammals, with stated exceptions. Twenty-nine bird species are huntable, and chicks or eggs of five additional species may be collected under applicable rules. Invasive species, habitat loss, climate change, pollution, disturbance and harvesting pressure affect conservation. Nature use includes grazing, forestry, land reclamation, agriculture, fishing, hunting, hydropower, geothermal energy, wind energy and mineral extraction. Rammaáætlun and environmental assessment weigh conservation, landscapes, wildlife, geological heritage, outdoor use, fishing, hunting and regional, social and economic interests. Conflicts commonly arise when visitor access, infrastructure or resource use threatens fragile moss, soils, geothermal crust, nesting cliffs, wetlands, lava, rivers, glaciers or wilderness. The Mývatn–Laxá area illustrates how biodiversity, geology and water-catchment protection can shape decisions about power development. Nature recreation includes hiking, trekking, glacier and volcano visits, geothermal viewing, bird and wildlife watching, fishing, horseback riding, camping, ranger walks and visitor-centre programmes. Outdoor access does not create an unrestricted right to every recreational activity. Carrying capacity, erosion, crowding, disturbance and infrastructure needs are especially relevant at well-known sites. Iceland’s natural hazards include eruptions, lava, ash, toxic gases, pyroclastic flows, lightning, earthquakes, fissure movement, sinkholes, landslides, rockfalls, unstable glacier ice, jökulhlaups, river and flash floods, storm surges, severe wind and precipitation, avalanches, snow, ice and dangerous coastal conditions. The Icelandic Meteorological Office provides monitoring, forecasts, warnings and a four-level volcanic alert system. Avalanche forecasts cover five regions and usually extend about three days. Visitors should check current weather, hazard, road and site conditions, follow closures and marked routes, and obey ranger and emergency instructions. The Natural Science Institute provides maps, geographic data, collections, Red Lists, online material, lectures and public education. Náttúruverndarstofnun and rangers provide visitor-centre information, guided interpretation and landvörður services. Fræðsla, the Icelandic term for education or interpretation, can cover geology, landscapes, habitats, species, conservation conduct, resource use and safety.