Absolutely fascinating. I really look forward to the updates.

I hope you can replace all the Icelandic forests. Great work!!!

I always think of Australia, Africa, Middle East etc when someone mentions desert. Iceland would never come to mind. We grow endemic plants in our revegitation garden in Queensland and have always been told that you don't have to fertilise native plants. Well we use pelletised poultry manure at planting, even on phosphorous sensitive species like Grevillea (in smaller quantities) and the difference in growth rate is amazing. I found your video very interesting and I think you pick up a little more info and tricks where ever in the world someone is reforesting. The basics apply everywhere, whether desert, rainforest,mountains or by the sea. Thanks and keep up the great work

Please keep us updated

Following this with keen interest, well done!

It's really exciting seeing trees grow on barren land, surviving the adversity. A bristlecone pine with its gnarled trunk and branches would look cool there. I wonder if it could survive in that environment

Amazing project and I pray that you have great success. These are great tree species choices. I live in a former gold mining area in Central Otago New Zealand with all the old soils completely destroyed and those plants have colonised this area making new soils. Large lupin beds encourage poplar and willow to establish further improving the soil and allowing other plants to establish. I'm certain you will succeed because I only need to look out my door and see the incredible evidence that happened here naturally after the land was abandoned in the 1950s

@landogskogur

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you for your nice and encouraging comment. 🙂

@kaitlynlsari681

2 жыл бұрын

@@landogskogur my hopes are with you for this great project to change the future of Iceland!!

I will connect with you one day when I will move to Iceland we will be planting trees together it is a guidance I received from nature spirits to carry this mission over there as in Iceland trees are needed💚

Beautifully done

Sad to see that land so degraded and barren. Hopefully the trees survive and the forest is reborn.

This is very good. Top stuff.

Thank you very much for posting this. I am so thankful to see what you are all doing. Do you think that a small amount of sheep herding on this land would be beneficial for both fertilizing the land and trodding on the soil in order to prepare it for growth? May God bless you in your works

This is a great real-life experiment. It brings to mind the Inca agricultural measures that would plant various plants in different environments to see what would fare best under each condition. It is, also, similar to Mennonite crop experiments in Paraguay where a similar thing is done. As I understand that Rowan and Aspen are native to Iceland, I do wonder why they are not included in the mix. In addition, as Norwegian Spruce and Scotch Pine are from nearby lands, it would seem logical to try them, as well, rather than just some of the Western North American species. Still, this is a good project, and it should prove interesting to see the results over time.

@landogskogur

2 жыл бұрын

We are flattered by your comparison of our project with the Incas and Mennonites. Indeed it would be interesting to include both the rowan and aspen in the mix. The rowan has the peculiar nature of not being able to form forests. It seems to be dependent on other species to thrive, maybe because it doesn't form symbiosis with any fungi or other organisms in the soil. However, experience shows us that the rowan shows up by itself in almost every planted forest or on lands that are protected from grazing. How long it takes depends on how much rowan is nearby for the birds to carry the seeds to the location in question. Apart from that, the species is included in small quantities in most afforestation projects, especially projects that are aimed at restoring native woodlands. Eventually, the rowan will automatically be found in every forest in Iceland and we have indeed seen a great increase in its distribution in recent decades. As the aspen is concerned, reproducing material is rather scarce. It is rather difficult to produce seedlings from the aspen and that's probably the reason why it isn't much used in Icelandic afforestation projects. Furthermore, it doesn't produce seeds in Iceland, both because the few clones that exist are probably all male ones and blooming is also very rare over here. Known instances of aspen blooming in Iceland are only about four, all of them in town gardens. But we take your comment as an encouragement. Although rowan has very limited commercial value and the aspen none whatsoever, it is really worth it to increase the use of those two native species, not least for their ecological qualities, for example for the birds, for biodiversity and more.

@RCSVirginia

2 жыл бұрын

@@landogskogur The fact that the rowan is a solitary tree and not a grove tree is new information. It must have a quite special biology for that to be the case. As you have noted, it is an important tree for birds and, thus, has a natural value. As for aspen, perhaps more could be done to locate both male and female trees, even bringing some in from outside Iceland, providing that insects, fungi and disease can be guarded against, to form a parent population for reforesting. I have wondered if Iceland may have had a greater diversity of avian life in the past when it had large forests. It could be that there were resident populations of arboreal birds such as Willow Tits, Long-Tailed Tits, Blue Tits and Eurasian Nuthatches in the past. Should significant stands of woodland be reestablished on the island, any pairs or flocks of birds that were blown by a storm from the British Isles or Scandinavia might be able to make themselves a new home.

@landogskogur

2 жыл бұрын

​@@RCSVirginia The hypothesis is, however with no scientific evidence, that because of the fact that the rowan doesn't have any symbiosis with mycorrhizal fungi or other soil organisms it needs to grow amongst other species that benefit from such symbiosis. Therefore it is unable to form continuous forest cover on its own. We are seeing great increase in the spread of rowan in Icelandic forests, not least in the commercial forests where conditions are even better for the rowan seeds to sprout than in the native birch forests. The native bird which has probably been the most active spreading force for the rowan is the redwing (Turdus iliacus) which has benefitted greatly from increasing forest cover in Iceland and longer summers due to warming climate. Its relative, the blackbird (Turdus merula), has been spreading around the country and is now found nesting along the coast in every part of Iceland wherever it can find some forests or rely on feeding from people in towns and villages. Europe's smallest bird, the goldcrest (Regulus regulus) was brought to Iceland in great numbers by a heavy storm in 1995 and was able to survive here thanks to cultivated conifer forests. As the species doesn't have flying capacity to migrate to Europe over the Atlantic ocean, it is forced to be a non-migrating bird in Iceland. And thanks to conifer plantations in Iceland it is slowly gaining ground although being regularly prone to big losses when weather conditions get overly harsh. The conifers are benefiting from its settlement because one of the most damaging pests on conifers in Iceland, especially on spruce, is the green spruce aphid (Elatobium abietinum). The goldcrest seems to be lowering the risk of aphid epidemics. More bird species can be mentioned which you can now call permanently nesting birds in Iceland thanks to increased forest cover, such as the crossbill (Loxia curvirostra), fieldfare (Turdus pilaris), long-eared owl (Asio otus), woodcock (Scolopax rusticola) and more. On the other hand, there are no signs that afforestation efforts are effecting the main native bird species that rely on treeless land and Iceland is responsible for the protection of by international commitments. Those are species such as the golden plover (Pluvialis apricaria), whimbrel (numenius phaeopus) and a few more. Land reclaiming efforts have regreened much greater areas of desertified land than the areas which have been taken for afforestation projects or reforestation with native species. Moreover, habitats for those species are far from over-populated by the species in question and in places they are even benefiting from increased arthropod production of those productive ecosystems which they can feed on along forest edges. As what the poplar is concerned, it would indeed be interesting to see if the introduction of female clones would yield some seeds in the future. But as long as instances of blooming are as rare as we have seen up till now, the chances seem minuscule. The poplar will continue to spread by root shoots which tend to form very dense woods that need regular thinnings without much profitable yields which makes the species rather a nuisance for commercial forestry while it can surely add some benefits to wild unattended woodlands, not least for bird species.

@RCSVirginia

2 жыл бұрын

@@landogskogur Your hypothesis-theory about the rowan and its spacing in the forest could very well be correct. There must be some reason for its distancing itself from those of its kind in the woods. Having to rely on the fungal networks of other trees and plants could be the cause of this occurrence. Whatever the agency, its being scattered throughout the woodlands is good for all the birds that dine on its berries.

@RCSVirginia

2 жыл бұрын

@@landogskogur From a biological perspective, it would likely be good to have commercial conifer plantations and natural Iceland woodlands adjacent to each other. Some birds might only use one or the other, but some might use both as a source of sustenance and habitat. Providing that the Wooly Pine Aphid and Green Spruce Aphid could be controlled through selective breeding of resistant trees and the introduction of natural predators such as Ladybugs, what you call Ladybirds in Europe, and Leucopis Flies, I still rather like the idea of planting Norwegian Spruce and Scots Pine. They would seem to be ideal for Christmas Tree plantations. One hopes that the Goldcrest will continue to thrive in Iceland. Darwinian evolution may favour those who can better withstand conditions there. As it was not a bird that has ever been here in America, I had to look it up on the Internet. In time, as I penned before, other arboreal birds may be blown by storms to Iceland and take up residence in its forests. I know from experience that bird-watching and feeding birds help to give people a better appreciation of the natural world.

Ever thought about using whatever is thrown away from the meat and fish industry as fertilizer when you plant the them? seen that it will give an energy boozed to plans when decomposition happens in the ground with the roots.. Greetings from Svea

@landogskogur

2 жыл бұрын

The Icelandic fish industry has grown to become a high-tech industry where every bit of the fish is converted to valuable products. Nothing is left behind. The same does not apply to the meat industry, so we have access to meat meal which is processed from bones, intestines, cutoffs and such from the meat industry. This very product is indeed used in Icelandic reforestation projects, especially the Hekla reforestation project around the Hekla volcano in South Iceland. The meat meal has proven to be very effective for initial land reclamation measures preparing for the planting of native birch on completely eroded land. It has the advantage over artificial fertilisers that it releases the nutrients more slowly, so the fertilising effects last a few years instead of one. The native birch struggles on heavily degraded land with a high risk of heavy die-off of planted seedlings. It needs at least a thin cover of plants and mosses to have a good chance to survive, as well as some added nutrients. The idea of the Hekla reforestation project is to plant the birch in patches from which the birch is supposed to seed itself out on its own. That method has already proven itself to be viable and successful. Experiments have also been carried through on using half-digested food from animal innards directly on barren land. Organic household waste is more and more being processed to compost by Icelandic communities and we have been developing and testing methods to use that as well for afforestation and reforestation projects.

In progress..

I would think that spreading mulch would help in a big way.

Is there any plans for introducing small mammals, like squirrels and small wild cats in the future, to inhabit the forrests and make the ecosystems in them more wild and dynamic?

@landogskogur

2 жыл бұрын

No such plans have been made. In fact, this is a very delicate matter as some environmentalist are very likely to rise against such proposals. However, rabbits have been imported to Iceland as pets and instead of putting them to sleep when people get bored with them, their fertility gets out of control or by other means they cannot keep them anymore, they simply release them in nearby forests. Rabbit populations are growing in some forests around the biggest towns in Iceland but they seem to be doing more harm than good, as there are not enough predators to keep their numbers within sensible limits. It is sure that many people in Iceland would like to see squirrels, frogs, toads and some more animals in the Icelandic forests, but it would probably prove very hard to get permission to import such alien creatures to Iceland. It is even hard to get permits to import natural enemies of new insect pests that have been gaining ground in the Icelandic forests, especially a few species feeding hard on the native Icelandic birch. Of course we have to take great care in such cases but when obvious benefits outweigh possible downsides, we should of course take such options into careful consideration.

@sluggo3slug

Жыл бұрын

@@landogskogur how utterly stupid. I’m sorry, but it really is.

how are they doing now any recent updates?

The whole time I while watching I was worried for these beautiful flowers that cling on to life in the desert. I hope they are not endangered by the forestry?

@landogskogur

2 жыл бұрын

Don't worry. These are plants typical for the highlands, mountainous areas and harsh areas by the coast. They have gained ground in the lowlands in the wake of deforestation and subsequent land degradation and erosion. The plant species in question will survive in Iceland, no matter how much forest we grow in favorable areas which are a minority of Iceland as a whole. It is necessary to bear in mind that the Icelandic landscape is very varied. Everywhere you look you have an occasional hill, mountain, cliff or some other prodruding things in the landscape where there will be treeless patches, probably often acting as "sanctuaries" or "retreats" for plants not surviving in the forests, whether it being a native birch woodland or cultivated forests with other tree species.

@thorium222

2 жыл бұрын

@@landogskogur Thanks for the explanation!

@sluggo3slug

2 жыл бұрын

Are you JOKING?!?!

I have read the Pinus Contorta later in life has problems with heavy winds. Can they handled the wind in Iceland?

@landogskogur

2 жыл бұрын

This can be a problem indeed. We have been working on improved seedling production and better provenances, e.g. from Swedish seed orchards, where breeding has yielded material with better root systems, more favorable branch patterns and more. Possibly, the best results could be achieved by sowing the pine directly into the ground and skipping the plant production process altogether. Ogoing research projects are looking into this aspect. Pines that grow from seeds seem to have stronger root systems with better root distribution in the soil. That is one thing that can reduce the risk of wind fall. Then there are tending practices to look into as well. With careful thinning at right time intervals during the rotation, we can also minimize the risk of wind fall. We have many examples of pine stands where thinning has been carried through way too late. In an established pine stand with high density, the trees are likely to have weak root systems because they have been supporting each other, deprived of the necessary stimulation of wind which acts like a workout for the roots, stimulating them to grow stronger. When such a forest is thinned, the risk of wind fall for remaining trees is high, especially in the first years after thinning. We don't know yet how long the rotation of contorta pine stands is going to be in general in the future. Maybe it will be relatively short and the trees will be mostly used for industrial timber production. It is possible that in many cases the pine will be succeeded by other tree species, which will benefit from the soil improving qualities of the pine. As a pionneering species on heavily over-grazed and degraded land, the pine can be highly useful for future forestry. But if we manage to grow healthy pine forests with straight growing small branched trees, the contorta pine could grow older, eventually yielding more valuable timber. It is necessary to bear in mind, though, that wind fall is a thing foresters have to live with almost everywhere. We can not control the elements. But with more forests in Iceland we get more shelter from heavy winds, giving way for better forests with lower risk of events such as wind fall.

@CR-di1lg

2 жыл бұрын

@@landogskogur thank you so much for taking the time to write such a detailed and educational answer. It gives me even more hope for the future of the Icland forest. I hope to be back soon and see it in person.

Where is the rain?

Youths shouldbe there. 24/7monitorial system

Why not tamarack/larch?

@landogskogur

9 ай бұрын

Siberian larch is not adapted to the conditions along the south and west coast in Iceland. It prefers more continental climate. On the other hand, the European and Siberian larch hybrid called 'Hrymur' should be more promising at Skarfanes. The only problem is the limited seed production of the hybrid. We are hoping to be able to scale up the production but that will take several years.

You could make money growing forest by keeping the sheep all in one bunch and moving them so they only come back to the same spot every 2-3 years. Allowing the sheep to graze at will is the problem. Using this herder grazing approach no planting is needed the sheep will fertilize and spread the seed.