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Development of Land Use
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On Index
2.3 Land Use
2.3 Land Use
Development of Land Use
2.3 a. Development of Land Use
The image shows the land classification of the central area in 2012 and 2018. There are three mane changes in land use. First, a new road that runs between Þeistareykir and Húsavík. Second, an expansion of the unvegetated lava field north of Vatnajökull, which is a result of an eruption in Holuhraun. Third and finally, the deciduous forest marked on Aðaldalshraun is significantly smaller in 2018 than in 2012.
The explanation for the decrease in the deciduous forest in Aðaldalshraun between 2012 and 2018 lies in improved mapping methods. The final report on CORINE 2018 states that the Icelandic Forest Research Institute database was updated in 2017. The new version was significantly changed from the previous version, especially with regard to the distribution of natural birch forest. The new mapping results showed that the distribution of birch forests has changed significantly. Natural birch forests are difficult to identify with satellite images and it is impossible to distinguish birch forests (tree height >2m) from birch scrub (tree height <2m).
The table below shows land use in 2012 and 2018 and the change between these two years.
Sizes are in km2.
Land use 2012
The image shows the state of land use in 2012, before the plans for the construction of the Þeistareykir hydroelectric power plant and industrial development in Bakki became a reality.
Source: Landmælingar Íslands
On Index
In a geoplanning policy for the years 2015-2026, it is considered fundamental that plans for inhabited areas and land use contribute to sustainable development, is scalable, contribute to resilience against community- and environmental changes and people's quality of life, along with supporting competitiveness in the country and individual regions. It is important that the development of land use is in accordance to the public policy of the government.
In this index, information on changes in land use according to information from CORINE, a geographic classification system, which classifies increase, decrease and change in land use, will be published.
CORINE geographical classification system was last upgraded in 2018. It should be upgraded every six years so the next upgrade is planned in 2024. It takes quite a while to process the upgrade so new data will not appear this year. The data and preparations for publication planned for the end of May are being processed.
Frequency
Every 6 years, information from CORINE geographic classification system will be published.
Area
Data from central area will be compared.
Accountability
The project manager is responsible for acquiring the data and publishing it according to the publishing schedule.
Source Material
Data will be collected from the National Land Survey of Iceland.