Heiðmörk

The Heiðmörk is a nature reserve and recreation area in the south and southwest of Iceland's capital Reykjavik. The drinking water reservoir of the city of Reykjavík located there.

Name

The name means forest in the highlands ( Isl mörk " forest " Heidi " heath ", " plateau " )

The name of the field was in 1950 awarded by the Icelandic linguist Sigurdur Nordal, which was based on a Norwegian district name.

Geography and Geology

The Heiðmörk marks the transition from the coastal strip in Reykjavík and Gardabær to the high levels Hellisheiði and Sandheiði.

Heiðmörk is located on the rift zone of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge and in the western ( active ) volcanic zone of Iceland. This explains the numerous columns, lava fields, volcanic craters and pseudo craters that can be found in the area. The area includes lava fields, which originate from the volcanic system of Brennisteinsfjöll. These include the approximately 4,700 -year-old pseudo crater lake Rauðhólar Elliðavatn.

History

The region was the historical sources, overgrown until the 19th century and then deserted, not least because of overgrazing.

The nature reserve Heiðmörk was founded in 1950 and as such is largely south and east of the lake Elliðavatn, parts of the area ( in Vífilsstaðir ) belong to Gardabær. The area encompassed 1988 2.500 ha, however, has been enlarged and now included in 2005 3.000 ha

The area is now opened up well with hiking, biking and riding trails. Numerous, partly covered, picnic areas have been created.

The urban forestry office Skógræktarfélag Reykjavík in charge of the premises and uses it for reforestation. Since 1950 a significant number of trees was planted, in addition sown grasses and other plants such as lupins for floor mounting and fighting the previously significant erosion ( up to 1988 about 4 million ).

The hills around are Vífilsstaðir in June when the lupins flowering, a kind of bluish sea. Overall, 90% of the area is now overgrown again, 20% of conifers and 20 % with birch trees and bushes.

By 1988, 26 tree species in the area could be located. These can be found in the area of ​​Heiðmörk about 150 wild species of flowers and summer one has counted about 30 birds.