Grass and Grass Utilization in Iceland

Abstract

The total area of Iceland is approximately 103,500 sq.km. of which 40,000 sq.km. presumably was covered with vegetation at the time of settlement in 874 A.D. During the 1,100 years of occupancy serious erosion has taken place, resulting in the deterioration of the grassland. At present, the total area of vegetation is only 20,000 sq.km. giving an average annual erosion rate of 20 sq.km. As the human population, which reached 80,000 individuals during the Age of Settlement, relied to a great extent on animal products it was indirectly dependent on the output of the natural grassland that dwindled with time and thus the human population decreased up to the last century. With modern cultivation techniques erosion is gradually being checked and it has been possible to provide fodder for the nation's increased livestock. Today the natural grassland, which to some extent is overstocked, provides summer pasture for 800,000 sheep and 30,000 ponies while the lowland pastures around the homesteads supply grazing for 60,000 dairy cattle. Sheep and cattle are housed and fed indoors on hay and artificial feeds during the winter months. Half the fodder is now obtained from cultivated land. Thus the Icelandic winter months. Half the fodder is now obtained from cultivated land. Thus the Icelandic agriculture is, at present, capable of supporting a nation of 200,000 individuals.