Líffræðifélag Íslands - biologia.is
Líffræðiráðstefnan 2025
Erindi/veggspjald / Talk/poster V17
Höfundar / Authors: Heiðrún Eiríksdóttir (1), Jóhanna Gísladóttir (2), Sunna Áskelsdóttir (3).
Starfsvettvangur / Affiliations: 1. Náttúrufræðistofnun, 2. Landbúnaðarháskóli Íslands, 3. Land og skógur.
Kynnir / Presenter: Heiðrún Eiríksdóttir
Icelandic lowland peatlands, among the largest carbon stores in the Nordic region, have been severely degraded by drainage, agricultural expansion, and climate change. These habitats are under severe pressure, threatening unique biodiversity, ecosystem services, and cultural heritage. The Peatland LIFEline project addresses these challenges by piloting restoration across 1,397 ha and by developing the first integrated framework for peatland conservation in Iceland. The work is organized into ten interlinked work packages that together advance the EU Biodiversity Strategy and the EU Nature Restoration Law by delivering measurable benefits for carbon storage, water regulation, and internationally important bird habitats. The Natural Science Institute of Iceland (NSII) plays a key role by mapping pristine, degraded, and restored peatlands, developing biodiversity indicators, monitoring biodiversity, and integrating results into national databases and red lists. Through these contributions, NSII provides a robust scientific foundation for policy, management, and long-term monitoring of Iceland’s peatland ecosystems.