Land and Forest Iceland
Past and present in the Vikras of Þjórsárdalur
16th July 2024
The flora within the pumice areas of Þjórsárdalur, commonly referred to as Vikrar, has undergone significant alterations in the past few decades. Visual documentation captured over a twenty-year period at two distinct locations provides compelling evidence of these changes.
The Vikrar are now under the purview of Land and Forest Iceland. The initial two photographs depict a black cottonwood forest established approximately in 2002 within the southernmost region of the Skridufell area in Þjórsárdalur. The first photograph, captured in 2002, features Thomas Menne, a former employee of the Icelandic Forest Service, standing adjacent to a recently planted black cottonwood sapling. The subsequent photograph, taken in July 2024 from a comparable vantage point, showcases a roadway traversing the burgeoning forest.
The second image pair depicts the region west of the Sölmundarholt farm, where birch tree planting commenced in 2003, accompanied by grass-sowing initiatives. Meat flour was subsequently applied in 2009, and during that period, birch and other tree species were planted in the area. The 4x4 travel club has been actively involved in the voluntary planting of birch trees in the Sölmundarholt region for several years, receiving support from the Forest Service, Landgræðslusjóður, and Hekluskógar. Landgræðslusjóður has consistently supported projects in the area, and numerous other entities have been involved. Recent years have witnessed the expansion of planting efforts to neighboring areas, including collaborations with Land Life Company, the Blue Lagoon/Rauðkambar, and others. The Vikrar region is undergoing a rapid transformation into a forest. Many employees of the institute have contributed to this endeavor, and special recognition must be given to the invaluable contributions of Jóhannes H. Sigurðsson, who has dedicated the past 22 years to the project's success.
The pictures speak more than words.
Source: Hreinn Óskarsson