Contractors working on behalf of Land and Forest Iceland have carried out all birch planting in this year's projects. Birch woodland restoration under the Bonn Challenge is largely undertaken on degraded land that has, in most cases, first undergone revegetation measures before tree planting begins.

Birch is a demanding species that struggles to establish itself unaided on impoverished soils. For that reason, fertiliser was applied with all seedlings planted during the spring and early summer. Fertilisation methods in these projects are continually being reviewed and refined, both to improve planting success and to reduce the use of synthetic fertilisers. One disadvantage of synthetic fertilisers is that they dissolve quickly, creating a risk that nutrients may be washed away before being utilised by the vegetation they are intended to support.

This spring, some of the planted birch seedlings received a slow-release fertiliser, Osmocote, which is designed to remain available in the soil for longer than conventional synthetic fertilisers. It will be interesting to see how it performs in these restoration projects.

Early assessments encouraging

Survival rates and other indicators used to assess the success of the spring and early summer planting are currently being measured. At first glance, the seedlings appear healthy, as shown in the accompanying photographs.

Quality assessments have already been completed in the Hekluskógar area and at Hafragil in Laxárdalur on Skagi Peninsula. Assessments are now under way on Hólasandur north of the Mývatn district and at Ærlækjarsel in Öxarfjörður. Birch planting will continue in carefully selected areas during the autumn months.

Berglind Guðjónsdóttir, specialist at Land and Forest Iceland and manager of the Bonn projects, says that the birch planted in the Hekluskógar area appears to be thriving. The seedlings look vigorous and show no signs of pests or other visible damage.

Natural regeneration an important component

The Bonn projects are an important part of the Icelandic government's efforts to expand native birch woodland across the country, with the long-term goal of increasing woodland cover to at least five per cent of Iceland's land area.A key element of this strategy is natural regeneration from planted areas. Birch is a pioneer species capable of spreading rapidly when conditions are favourable, and much of the anticipated expansion is expected to occur through self-seeding. An important aspect of the work is therefore to create conditions that support natural regeneration by initiating ecological recovery on barren land and strengthening existing vegetation.Meat meal has proved highly effective for this purpose in the Hekluskógar area. This summer, meat meal was applied for the first time on a Bonn restoration site in North Iceland, as previously reported on the Land and Forest Iceland website.

More than half a million birch seedlings already planted

The figures below summarise birch planting completed during the spring and first half of summer. On average, approximately 1,250 seedlings were planted per hectare.

Steinkrossheiði, above Gunnarsholt

• Approximately 125 hectares planted

• Approximately 120,000 seedlings

Vesturhraun, above Gunnarsholt

• Approximately 133 hectares planted

• Approximately 152,000 seedlings

Hafragil enclosure, Laxárdalur on Skagi Peninsula

• Approximately 35 hectares planted

• Approximately 70,000 seedlings

Hólasandur, north of the Mývatn district

• Approximately 70 hectares planted

• Approximately 162,000 seedlings

Ærlækjarsel, Öxarfjörður

• Approximately 24 hectares planted

• Approximately 50,000 seedlings

In total, around 550,000 birch seedlings have already been planted across approximately 390 hectares. However, the work is far from finished. A similar area remains to be planted during the autumn planting season.

By the end of the year, more than one million birch seedlings will have been planted in Bonn Challenge restoration projects across Iceland.

An emerging birch woodland with Mount Hekla in the background. Photo: Berglind Guðjónsdóttir

Related news: Around 1,000 hectares to receive bone meal this year (6 July)