Rewilding Iceland by planting native trees

Rewilding.org; Xochitl, Dhr. Seven (eds.), Wisdom Quarterly

Rewilding Iceland by replanting native forests

A great project is returning native forest cover to [the green island of] Iceland [unlike the icy island called Greenland] with the goal to raise coverage from the current 2% to its historic 25%-40%.

Notable is the focus on native tree species over non-natives that, while they might suck more carbon from the atmosphere, do not belong in Iceland.

Read about more great rewilding projects from the team at Mossy Earth (mossy.earth).

ABOUT THIS PROJECT

If only the US could restore its lost forests.

“In Autumn 2021, we joined forces with the Iceland Forest Service to restore the native birchwoods of Iceland. Iceland is known for is vast open landscapes shaped by massive volcanos and expansive glaciers, but these woodlands are a vital part of the landscape.

“They are the only woodland type to form in Iceland, and [they] provide food and shelter for biodiversity, help to stabilize soil, provide windbreaks, and sequester carbon. At one point, it is thought that 25-40% of Iceland was covered in birchwoods. Now, it is a mere 1.5%.” More: rewilding.org