Biodiversity in Iceland
Biodiversity is the diversity of life in a particular area. This can include animals, plants, and microorganisms. Biodiversity is important because it provides an area with the resources it needs that keep humans alive. Cultural diversity is the differences in a way of life for a particular people or species. Unfortunately, both biodiversity and cultural diversity are declining around the globe. Why is this so detrimental to the present and future? “At least 40 per cent of the world’s economy and 80 per cent of the needs of the poor are derived from biological resources. In addition, the richer the diversity of life, the greater the opportunity for medical discoveries, economic development, and adaptive responses to such new challenges as climate change” (Shah, 2001).
Compared to most other countries around the world, Iceland’s biodiversity is not nearly as rich. There are only 1,300 known species of insects in Iceland, and only one native land mammal, the Arctic Fox. The animals of Iceland include the Icelandic sheep, cattle, chicken, goat, the sturdy Icelandic horse, and the Icelandic Sheepdog.
Compared to most other countries around the world, Iceland’s biodiversity is not nearly as rich. There are only 1,300 known species of insects in Iceland, and only one native land mammal, the Arctic Fox. The animals of Iceland include the Icelandic sheep, cattle, chicken, goat, the sturdy Icelandic horse, and the Icelandic Sheepdog.
Although there isn’t much diversity of life on land, there are many types of fish that live in the seas surrounding Iceland. “The fishing industry is a main contributor to Iceland's economy, accounting for more than half of the country's total exports” (Icelandic Biodiversity). Seabirds such as Puffins, skuas, and kittiwakes that nest in the sea cliffs are also abundant in Iceland.
The most important aspect of biodiversity in Iceland is the marine and aquatic life that resides around the island. “The marine ecosystem is complex and interactive, and Icelanders are well aware that it is crucial not to disrupt the overall balance in the system and to conserve marine biological diversity” (Biological Diversity in Iceland, 2001, p. 39). Nature is a huge part of Icelandic culture, because there’s so much of it to see. Most of the land in Iceland is undeveloped and scenery is beautiful and plentiful. Tourism to Iceland is on the rise because of the amazing culture and beautiful lands and opportunities. Iceland doesn't necessarily depend on tourism, however, it is very beneficial to the economy. Although there isn’t much wildlife to see, whale watching is a popular activity in Iceland that both native Icelanders and tourists love to partake in. It’s extremely fun to spot the different types of whale species such as humpback and orca whales, to only name a couple, because there are over 30 species of marine mammals around Iceland (Skúlason, 2015, p.11). Dolphins can also be spotted as well as the famous puffin bird. “Despite its relatively limited variety of animal and plant species, Iceland is one of the most important breeding grounds for many bird species in the North Atlantic” (Biological Diversity).
The most important aspect of biodiversity in Iceland is the marine and aquatic life that resides around the island. “The marine ecosystem is complex and interactive, and Icelanders are well aware that it is crucial not to disrupt the overall balance in the system and to conserve marine biological diversity” (Biological Diversity in Iceland, 2001, p. 39). Nature is a huge part of Icelandic culture, because there’s so much of it to see. Most of the land in Iceland is undeveloped and scenery is beautiful and plentiful. Tourism to Iceland is on the rise because of the amazing culture and beautiful lands and opportunities. Iceland doesn't necessarily depend on tourism, however, it is very beneficial to the economy. Although there isn’t much wildlife to see, whale watching is a popular activity in Iceland that both native Icelanders and tourists love to partake in. It’s extremely fun to spot the different types of whale species such as humpback and orca whales, to only name a couple, because there are over 30 species of marine mammals around Iceland (Skúlason, 2015, p.11). Dolphins can also be spotted as well as the famous puffin bird. “Despite its relatively limited variety of animal and plant species, Iceland is one of the most important breeding grounds for many bird species in the North Atlantic” (Biological Diversity).
"Land and soil erosion are one of Iceland’s chief environmental problems. It is believed that more than 95% of the country’s forests and over half of its contiguous soil cover have been lost since the time the island was settled. This means not only that the capacity of vegetation and soil to remove carbon from the atmosphere is much less than would otherwise be the case, but also that the soil in Iceland is especially needy of carbon. This means that it is possible to combine the goals of reclaiming vegetation and soil and of combatting climate change through the sequestration of carbon from the atmosphere" (Biodiversity Iceland). There are many conservation efforts in place to protect Iceland's biodiversity including various laws and legislation. By the government recognizing and endorsing how important biodiversity is the the land itself and the people who live on the land, there is a hope that care will be taken to preserve the biodiversity in Iceland.
"Main laws concerning biodiversity conservation and utilisation:
• Act on the Protection of Thingvellir of 1928 27
• Act on Afforestation of 1955 and 1966
• Act on Soil Conservation of 1965 and 1975
• Act on Salmon, Trout and Char Fishing of 1970
• Act on the Conservation of the Lake Mývatn and the River Laxá in Sudur-Thingeyjarsýsla of 1974
• Act on Marine Pollution Control of 1986
• Fisheries Management Act of 1990
• Act on the Héradsskógar Afforestation Project of 1991
• Act on the Icelandic Institute of Natural History and Nature Centres of 1992
• Act on Toxic and Hazardous Chemical Substances of 1988 and 1993
• Act on the Conservation, Protection and Hunting of Wild Birds and Mammals of 1994, pertaining to all wild birds and wild terrestrial mammals
• Act on the Conservation of the Bay Breidafjördur of 1995
• Act on Responsible Treatment of Commercial Marine Stocks of 1996
• Act on Physical Planning and Building of 1997
• Act on South Iceland Afforestation Project of 1997
• Act on Research and Exploitation of Subterranean Resources of 1998
• Act on Agricultural development of 1998
• Act on Regional Afforestation Projects of 1999
• Act on Nature Conservation of 1999
• Act on Environmental Impact Assessment of 2000
Some of those acts have recently been revised, either in part or as a whole" (Biological Diversity in Iceland, 2015, p. 26).
References:
Biodiversity - Iceland - Climate Adaptation. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.climateadaptation.eu/iceland/biodiversity/
Biological diversity. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.mfa.is/foreign-policy/environment/biological-diversity/
Biological Diversity in Iceland. (2001). Retrieved from https://www.cbd.int/doc/world/is/is-nr-01-en.pdf
Icelandic Biodiversity. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://classes.lt.unt.edu/Summer_10W_2012/LTEC_3260_020/skg0066/assignment1/page3.html
Shah, A. (2001). Why Is Biodiversity Important? Who Cares? Retrieved from http://www.globalissues.org/article/170/why-is-biodiversity-important-who-cares
Skúlason, S., Malmquist, H., Steingrímsson, S., & Kristjánsson, B. (2015). Biological diversity in Iceland. Conference Ecology Association of Iceland, 23(24), 11-11. Retrieved from http://nmsi.is/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/Biodiversity-in-Iceland-VISTIS-2015-Skúli-o.-fl..pdf
Biodiversity - Iceland - Climate Adaptation. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.climateadaptation.eu/iceland/biodiversity/
Biological diversity. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.mfa.is/foreign-policy/environment/biological-diversity/
Biological Diversity in Iceland. (2001). Retrieved from https://www.cbd.int/doc/world/is/is-nr-01-en.pdf
Icelandic Biodiversity. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://classes.lt.unt.edu/Summer_10W_2012/LTEC_3260_020/skg0066/assignment1/page3.html
Shah, A. (2001). Why Is Biodiversity Important? Who Cares? Retrieved from http://www.globalissues.org/article/170/why-is-biodiversity-important-who-cares
Skúlason, S., Malmquist, H., Steingrímsson, S., & Kristjánsson, B. (2015). Biological diversity in Iceland. Conference Ecology Association of Iceland, 23(24), 11-11. Retrieved from http://nmsi.is/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/Biodiversity-in-Iceland-VISTIS-2015-Skúli-o.-fl..pdf
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