Government begins wetland restoration on state-owned land

Iceland’s government has begun a wetland restoration programme on state-owned land, with work starting at the Sogn farm in Ölfus, mbl.is reported. Environment, Energy and Climate Minister Jóhann Páll Jóhannsson marked the start by turning the first spadeful of soil.

This autumn, 225 hectares of wetlands will be restored across five state-owned farms, an area equivalent to 315 football pitches. The work will also close about 23 kilometres of drainage ditches.

Plans call for more disturbed wetlands to be restored this year and next than have been restored over the past 30 years, according to a government announcement.

Restoring wetlands can reduce greenhouse gas emissions from drained land, improve water regulation, strengthen ecosystems against climate change and support biodiversity, the announcement said.

“When I took office, I said I would break the deadlock on wetland restoration, and work is beginning today,” Jóhannsson said. He said the government would start by taking responsibility for state-owned land and would also create stronger incentives for farmers, other landowners and associations to carry out restoration.

“Wetland and ecosystem restoration is a cost-effective climate measure, but it is also about nature conservation and supporting biodiversity. It is not only about CO2 equivalents, but also our birds and their habitats. Where there are ditches today, we will see marshland and hear birdsong in a few years,” he said.