Iceland is often described as an attractive land, and this is true. Forests cover very little of the island, just 2% of the territory. However, this has not always been the case. When the Vikings arrived on the island, it was quite rich in forests; estimates suggest that 25-40% of the island was covered by forests, with the birch being the dominant species. It should be noted that, at that time, the island was uninhabited.

What happened? The Vikings turned to the birch trees to obtain timber and create land for agricultural purposes. Over time, sheep were introduced to the island, and as their numbers increased and grazing areas expanded, the forest faced serious difficulties in regenerating naturally.