When Iceland became a sovereign state in 1918, after more than six centuries under colonial rule, it was among the poorest countries in Europe. It was also faced with severe land degradation problems caused by over-exploitation through wood cutting and overgrazing under harsh natural conditions. To halt the destructive forces, a unique legislation was passed in 1907, aimed to halt soil erosion and restore lost and degraded woodlands. Iceland’s 100 years of such national operation is one of the longest standing in the world. The numerous success stories about stabilising desertified land and making it productive serve as an example to demonstrate how current international objectives can be achieved. Such actions are important in carbon sequestration into soils and vegetation, restoring biological diversity and in providing opportunities for productive land use. Land restoration programmes and land use decision making is closely interlinked with numerous research programmes. The knowledge and experience gained is of much relevance to a number of countries in all parts of the world. In addition, learning from the adverse consequences of this process, the Icelandic nation is highly committed to fighting land degradation and restoring degraded ecosystems.
The task of protecting and restoring Icelandic ecosystems is still enormous. A national assessment of soil erosion in Iceland completed in 1997, revealed considerable to severe erosion on more than 50% of Iceland and poor ecosystem conditions in much of the remaining vegetated land area. Today the main determinants of land conditions in Iceland are grazing in open land (in part as a consequence of previous wood exploitation, especially in lowland areas) in interaction with harsh forces of nature, such as cold climate, aridity in some parts of the country, volcanic eruptions, and river flooding.
Although all problems have not been solved, wide ranging experience and knowledge has been gained in Iceland through the last century on how to combat land degradation and desertification, on restoration and sustainable land use. At the same time Icelandic society has developed from being one of the poorest in Europe to a prosperous modern society with fast developing and competent research and university sector.
The need for capacity building within this field of expertise is great in the developing countries where land degradation and desertification is directly threatening food security and well being. Two United Nations Training Programmes are currently operating in Iceland, the Geothermal Training Programme (UNU-GTP) (1975) and the Fisheries Training Programme (UNU-FTP) (1998).
As a part of Iceland’s development co-operation efforts, the Ministry for Foreign Affairs will support a three-year pilot project through a financial contribution to establish a training programme in land restoration. The training programme will build on the same concept as the other two training programmes in Iceland, UNU-GTP and UNU-FTP.
The Agricultural University of Iceland (AUI) is the executing agency with financial responsibility for the project. The Soil Conservation Service of Iceland (SCSI) with a century long experience of soil conservation and restoration has a key role in the project according to a collaborative agreement with the AUI. Together, the two institutes build on a strong academic foundation, varied training environment and highly competent staff and a network of institutions, agencies and non-government organisations (NGOs) in Iceland. To further strengthen the training environment and enhance the quality of the programme, internationally renounced scientists or other professionals within the field will be invited as guest lecturers each year. The key institutes participate in international networks which further enhance the quality of the training environment.
