Iceland, located in the middle of the North Atlantic Ocean approximately 290 km (180 miles) east of Greenland and 970 km (603 miles) west of Norway, is isolated from other landmasses. This geographic isolation makes it difficult for plants and animals to reach the island, resulting in relatively low biological diversity and few endemic species. The country’s northern latitude and harsh climate also hinder traditional crop cultivation, limiting agriculture primarily to animal husbandry.

However, Iceland is rich in renewable energy sources such as geothermal and hydro power, abundant marine resources, and boasts a unique natural environment. These assets, combined with economic and technological advances in recent times, have spurred rapid economic growth and allowed Iceland to achieve a standard of living on par with other Western industrialized nations.

	Score	Rank	Change
Total Score – NCI 2024	59.52	46	N/A
Land Management	51	105	N/A
Protected Areas (Terrestrial)	68	81	N/A
Ecological Representativeness of Terrestrial Protected Areas	67	62	N/A
Connectedness of Terrestrial Protected Areas	69	29	N/A
Protected Areas (Marine)	1	113	N/A
Pristine Habitat (Converted Land)	100	1	N/A
Sustainable Nitrogen Management (Soil Pollution)	0	175	N/A
Sustainable Pesticide Use
Threats to Biodiversity	54	154	N/A
Threatened Species (Terrestrial)	93	30	N/A
Threatened Species (Marine)	39	123	N/A
Threatened Species’ Coverage by Protected Areas	100	1	N/A
Species Coverage by Marine Protected Areas	73	117	N/A
Species with Declining Populations (Terrestrial)	33	68	N/A
Species with Declining Populations (Marine)	0	10	N/A
Depleted Fisheries	0	39	N/A
Fishery Pressure in the High Seas	100	58	N/A
Invasive Species Pressure	46	169	N/A
Capacity and Governance	85	1	N/A
Total Management Cost	98	66	N/A
Conservation Culturomics	79	5	N/A
Conservation Legislation	78	5	N/A
Ratification of CBD	100	1	N/A
Ratification of CITES	100	1	N/A
Political Stability and Absence of Violence	70	3	N/A
Control of Corruption	82	14	N/A
Government Effectiveness	82	8	N/A
Future Trends	48	53	N/A
Climate Change Mitigation	48	53	N/A

Four pillars elaborated:

Land Management

Iceland, renowned for its breathtaking natural wonders, has established a robust network of protected areas essential for preserving its unique biodiversity and dramatic landscapes. Approximately 25% of the country is designated as protected, including national parks and other conservation categories. These areas feature significant natural assets such as volcanic activity, glaciers, geothermal pools, and geysers. Notably, Vatnajökull National Park, the largest in Europe, encompasses diverse ecosystems alongside its glaciers and volcanoes. Other internationally recognized sites include Surtsey, a UNESCO World Heritage site formed by volcanic eruptions, Thingvellir National Park, known for its historical and geological value, and the Mývatn-Laxá area, an important bird habitat recognized under the Ramsar Convention.

Plans are underway to expand protection to the central highlands with a proposed national park, which would integrate existing protected areas and public lands under the amended Act on Vatnajökull National Park. Furthermore, Iceland is committed to international conservation efforts, having ratified several key conventions, including the World Heritage and Ramsar Conventions, and actively participates in global discussions on protected areas. Snæfellsjökull National Park, located in western Iceland, is another critical area that protects diverse landscapes from volcanoes and glaciers to deserts and cultural sites.

Threats to Biodiversity

Iceland’s unique ecological environment faces several challenges that threaten its biodiversity, including soil degradation, vegetation loss, overgrazing, erosion, and habitat destruction. Soil degradation is a significant concern that negatively impacts plant growth and disrupts the delicate balance of ecosystems. Vegetation loss disrupts food chains and reduces overall ecosystem diversity, putting many endemic and specialist species at risk of extinction.

Overgrazing by sheep exacerbates these challenges, hindering the natural regeneration of plants and disrupting the growth of new vegetation. Erosion compounds the problem by leading to soil nutrient depletion and negatively impacting aquatic ecosystems. Finally, habitat destruction due to human activities and natural processes directly affects the survival and abundance of many plant and animal species.

Capacity and Governance

Iceland is deeply involved in various environmental conservation initiatives aimed at promoting sustainability and addressing ecological challenges. Key efforts include the Soil Conservation Service of Iceland (SCSI) engaging in revegetation and ecosystem restoration projects to counter soil erosion, including seeding, fertilizing, and wetland restoration. The Icelandic Forest Service is also focused on reforestation, working to reintroduce forests that were cleared during the Viking era and cross-breeding trees to suit Iceland’s climate better. Notably, forest and shrub coverage has expanded sixfold since 1990.

Additionally, Iceland regulates its conservation efforts through a program initiated in 1971, with Umhverfisstofnun overseeing the protection of natural areas. On the international front, Iceland participates in the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) and hosts a UN land restoration training program, contributing to global biodiversity preservation and climate change mitigation. Moreover, the government is actively involved in environmental monitoring and reducing greenhouse gas emissions to better manage the Arctic environment.

Future Trends

Iceland has developed several future biodiversity action plans. These include the National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan, the Arctic Biodiversity Assessment, the Icelandic Nature Conservation Strategy, the Icelandic Wildlife Management Plan, and the Soil Conservation Act. The plans aim to promote the conservation and sustainable use of Iceland’s biodiversity, protect its natural heritage, regulate land use practices, and ensure the sustainable management of its wildlife resources.

Biodiversity

Iceland was initially home to only one land mammal, the arctic fox, alongside birds and marine species. However, over time, various animals have adapted to the harsh and arid geographic conditions, resulting in a thriving biodiversity on the island. Native species include white or blue arctic foxes, whales, dolphins, seals, and puffins, with approximately 60% of the world’s population breeding in Icelandic cliffs.

Other bird species, such as guillemots, gulls, auks, sandpipers, peewits, sea eagles, and ravens, also call Iceland home. Non-native species include reindeer, rodents, and mink. Domestic animals, such as dogs, sheep, cattle, and horses, play a significant role in Icelandic society, with the Icelandic horse being an important staple of the landscape since Viking times.

In the table below are the number of known species in several main groups, how many of these species are Threatened with extinction, and how many of them are Endemic (unique to Iceland only):