Country Profiles

Disclaimer

The designations employed and the presentation of material on this map do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of the Secretariat concerning the legal status of any country, territory, city or any area or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries.

(*) A dispute exists between the Governments of Argentina and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland concerning sovereignty over the Falkland Islands (Malvinas).

Remark:
Please note that this country profile has been prepared by the Secretariat on the basis of information provided in the NBSAP and national reports, but has not been reviewed by the Party concerned.

Main References

National Websites


Status and Trends of Biodiversity

Overview

Iceland is situated in the middle of the North Atlantic Ocean, isolated from landmasses, making it difficult for plants and animals to disperse to the island. Biological diversity is thus not very high, and there are few endemic species of fauna and flora. Besides commensal rodents, the terrestrial mammalian fauna of Iceland is composed of just four species, only one of which, the arctic fox (Alopex lagopus), is indigenous to the country... More »

Number and Extent of Protected Areas

In 2000, the 85 national parks and reserves and other protected areas amounted to roughly 11,900 km2, or approximately 12% of the total land area in Iceland. It is estimated that 6% of protected areas classify as wetlands, and that approximately 4.5% of the wetlands in Iceland have been protected.

NOTE: Visitors to the CBD website are advised to consult section VII of the sixth national report for updated information on the themes contained in the country profile below.

National Contacts

Full details of national contacts »

Convention on Biological Diversity

Mr. Sigurdur Armann Thrainsson
CBD Primary NFP
Icelandic Museum of Natural History
CBD Secondary NFP

Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety

Mr. Sigurdur Armann Thrainsson
BCH NFP