Introduction

Abstract

This book about the soils of Iceland takes a broad approach considering soils as a part of the environment and ecosystems, resulting in a publication giving a wide-ranging insight into Icelandic nature in general. It gives a short overview of Icelandic climate and land use with special consideration to the volcanic geology, which is the single most important factor in determining soil formation on this island: the formation of Andosols. The book describes a simple classification scheme for soils of Iceland, where Vitrisols , soils of the extensive Icelandic deserts (Andisols under ST), are a prominent part of the system. Physical and chemical properties of the soils are discussed in separate chapters, as is pedogenesis, with numerous photographs, figures, descriptions, and tabular data. Geomorphic processes are especially active in Iceland and separate chapters are therefore devoted to the effects of frost on soils and the environment, and on aeolian processes, which are extremely active, influencing the main properties of all soils in Iceland. In no other country outside of the arid regions has land degradation and soil erosion had as detrimental consequences as in Iceland, which is addressed in the final chapter of the book.