The Soils of Iceland
Springer World Soils Book Series

The book describes the soils of Iceland in a broad pedological, ecological and geomorphological context. The book is aimed for the scientist, student and the general reader alike. It is 180 pages with numerous color photographs, maps and other figures. It is available on Amazon and Bóksala Studenta (Univ. Icel)
The book is about what shapes the Icelandic soils and the soil landscapes, the services these soils provide, the severe impact of man, and how it is perceived. The book is intended to help the reader, the student of Icelandic nature, the numerous visitors — anyone interested in Icelandic nature — to understand the soils of Iceland and the processes that shape Icelandic landscapes. It 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 and the volcanic geology in particular, which is an important factor in determining soil formation on this island. The book describes a simple classification scheme for Icelandic soils. Physical properties, chemistry and pedogenesis is discussed in some detail, with numerous photos, figures and tabular data. Separate chapters are devoted to the effects of frost on soils and the environment and the extremely active aeolian processes, which influence the main properties of all Icelandic soils. 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.
A soil map is stored under the "Mold - Soil" page on this website
The book is about what shapes the Icelandic soils and the soil landscapes, the services these soils provide, the severe impact of man, and how it is perceived. The book is intended to help the reader, the student of Icelandic nature, the numerous visitors — anyone interested in Icelandic nature — to understand the soils of Iceland and the processes that shape Icelandic landscapes. It 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 and the volcanic geology in particular, which is an important factor in determining soil formation on this island. The book describes a simple classification scheme for Icelandic soils. Physical properties, chemistry and pedogenesis is discussed in some detail, with numerous photos, figures and tabular data. Separate chapters are devoted to the effects of frost on soils and the environment and the extremely active aeolian processes, which influence the main properties of all Icelandic soils. 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.
A soil map is stored under the "Mold - Soil" page on this website