Publications
Sjálfsáning stafafuru (Pinus contorta) í nágrenni Furuskógar við Hrafnagjá
A study on self-seeding lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta) around Furuskógur near Hrafnagjá, Þingvellir National Park, Iceland, reveals that 21 self-seeded plants were found within 100 meters of the plantation edge, with most concentrated in open and disturbed areas like lava-field heath and along roads or trails. The research, conducted on July 4–5, 2025, used four transects to assess seedling distribution, finding that wind direction influenced dispersal patterns, with the farthest seedling (79 meters away) located in a crosswind transect. No coned-bearing plants were observed, suggesting limited reproductive maturity. The findings underscore the need for continued monitoring of plantation edges and open habitats to track invasive spread in this UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Bioecological characteristics of Iceland with reference to national parks
Iceland's unique subarctic climate, shaped by its North Atlantic location near the Arctic Circle, significantly influences its bioecological characteristics. The study reveals that while only 24% of Iceland is covered with stable vegetation, vast areas (76%) remain uncultivable due to harsh conditions like sand fields, lava flows, and glaciers. National parks, including Þingvellir, play a crucial role in preserving this fragile ecosystem. The research provides a detailed bioecological profile of Iceland, emphasizing the sparse plant cover and the dominance of tundra zones, with only 1.2% of the land forested. By focusing on national parks, the study highlights their importance in conserving biodiversity amid extreme environmental conditions.
The Edge of Beginning Again
Þingvellir National Park, located at the boundary of the Eurasian and North American tectonic plates, offers a unique vantage point to explore the concept of 'living on the edge.' This study examines how the visible fracture of Earth's lithosphere in this 7-km-wide rift valley serves as a metaphor for humanity's current state—standing at the brink of profound change, both exciting and uncertain. The research delves into the idea that edges can signify not just borders but also seams interweaving past and future, urging humanity to embrace forward-thinking, incremental change despite existential challenges. It draws parallels with avant-garde ideas and art-science-tech entanglements, showcasing how creativity and collaboration can guide us through planetary uncertainty. The study concludes with a call for courage and action, echoing Harper Lee's definition of real courage: beginning again and seeing it through, even when the outcome is uncertain.
The Route into Nature: The Landscape of Mobility
Roads play a crucial yet often overlooked role in shaping how tourists perceive and engage with Iceland's natural landscapes, particularly along the Golden Circle route. A study on Þingvellir National Park reveals that road infrastructure is not merely a practical means of transportation but also a significant factor in constructing relationships with nature. By examining historical and contemporary roadbuilding practices, the research highlights how roads transform landscapes and facilitate mobilities, which are central to the tourist experience. This shifts focus from individual attractions to the broader significance of routes and road networks in understanding environmental connections.
Assessing the Disturbance from Overcrowding in Outdoor Nature Experiences
A novel device designed for field studies successfully captures visitors' moment-to-moment perception of overcrowding, offering deeper insights into the quality of nature experiences compared to traditional questionnaires. Applied at Þingvellir National Park this interdisciplinary approach combines User Experience research with overcrowding assessment techniques. The device, featuring two buttons for signaling perceived overcrowding or emptiness, records time, location, and button events locally and anonymously, adhering to GDPR standards. Initial findings reveal that moment-to-moment self-reporting complements traditional methods, providing a more nuanced understanding of visitor disturbance and its spatial-temporal dynamics. This research has significant implications for sustainable park management, helping managers, designers, and rangers optimize infrastructure and visitor flow to mitigate overcrowding effects.
Þingvellir: Commodifying the “Heart” of Iceland
Þingvellir National Park, a symbol of Icelandic nationalism and national identity, faces a shift in its cultural significance due to commercialization within neoliberal economies. This study critically examines the transformation of Þingvellir from a site of historical importance and recreation into a global tourist destination. It explores how this commodification affects its symbolic potency as a gateway between continents and its role within universalized notions of humanity. The research adopts a postcolonial perspective to analyze these changes, highlighting the tension between heritage preservation and economic exploitation.
Where the Law Rock Lies
Þingvellir National Park, the historic site of Iceland's Alþing, the oldest parliament in Europe, holds the memory of a nation shaped by oral tradition and legal debates. The exact location of the Law Rock, central to these proceedings, remains uncertain despite its symbolic importance as a pilgrimage site for modern Pagans. This study explores the cultural significance of Þingvellir through personal narrative, blending historical research with the author's journey as a second-generation Pagan drawn to Iceland's pagan heritage. The approach combines fieldwork observations, historical analysis, and introspective reflection, offering a unique perspective on how memory and place construct national identity.
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