Iceland: Biology

Our Biology Explorer provides ample opportunity for study the following topics. Alternatively, on request we can organise tailor made field trips to Iceland. 

The climate, geology, volcanic and geothermal activity as well as its isolation, provide a unique habitat for vegetation and wildlife within Iceland. 

UNIQUE ECOSYSTEMS, WILDLIFE AND EVOLUTION STUDIES
Iceland is renowned for its birdlife. Depending on the time of your visit, you could explore the resident and migratory birdlife, and competition within and between different bird species. Use dichotomous to help identify and study waterfowl, waders, passerines, raptors and sea birds such as puffins, arctic terns and gannets.

Sample the species diversity of a natural geothermal heated stream to a glacial stream. 

Find out about the evolution and speciation of Arctic char in Lake Thingvallavatn, where in just 10,000 years four species of Arctic char have evolved from just one original.

Visit Iceland’s Botanical Gardens and Zoo to study how plants and animals have adapted to Iceland’s range of environments. Or how about some whale watching? With regular sightings of minkes and white beaked dolphins, with a chance to see other species including humpbacks whales and orcas. Explore the controversy behind whale hunting and conflicts with the principles of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). 

HOT SPRING ECOLOGY
Measure the abiotic factors at various hot springs and compare the different types of microorganism found in different places. With varying temperatures and pH, these geothermal features provide unique habitats for diverse groups of thermophilic life. The hot springs in Iceland are being studied in hope of discovering unique and unknown species of microorganisms. Enzymes isolated from thermophilic bacteria have found a number of interesting applications in the biotechnology industry.

SOIL EROSION 
Iceland is very vulnerable to soil erosion, caused by a combination of lack of vegetation cover, steep terrain, high rainfall, frequent volcanic activity and over-exploitation of the land. Learn how desertification effects plant species diversity and measures taken to reduce erosion and measures taken to reclaim eroded land. 

PLANT SUCCESSION
With contrasting extreme environments, Iceland provides different examples of ecological succession. Study changes in plant species distribution at varying distances from a glacier or from a hot spring.

Geography and Geology | Biology | Science | Photography

Iceland for Everyone