The Icelandic Forestry Service (IFS) today announced that Icelandic forests are coping well with ash from the Eyjafjallajökull eruption. The forest in Húsadalur is thought to be in good shape after ashfall over the period 18th–21st May. There are considerable amounts of nutrients in the ash, which will act as a fertiliser for the plants.

It is stated in the news letter of the IFS that the thickest ash layer fell in Húsadalur, where it was about 3cm in depth, and the thinnest over Langadalur and Básar where it was only around 1–2cm deep. The ash also fell differently in different areas. For example in Húsadalur, the ash fell with rain and clung to trees, whereas in Langadalur and Básar it fell during dry whether and settled on the forest floor.

Húsadalur forest was at first looking a little worse for wear after the first few days of ashfall, becoming grey under the layer of ash, but a few days later the forest returned to its familiar green hue as the trees disposed of the ash from their branches and buds when they leaved.

It may take the forest floor growth a little longer to recover, however, as it will be more difficult for smaller plants to grow up through the ash layer in the thickest places. It is hoped that the ash will eventually wash into the soil when it rains, allowing flowers to bloom. Hardy plants, such as angelica, are already growing up out of the ash, and the number of visible species is expected to increase with the turn to summer.

Source: mbl.is
Image: skogur.is

Labels: Eyjafjallajökull, Forests