Iceland: Endemic Landscape I Educational Strategies for Understanding the Territory

Ivan Juarez, Helena Guttormsdóttir, and Nanna Vilborg teach us about the importance of participatory workshops to raise awareness about the endemic landscapes of Iceland and their fauna in Iceland: Endemic Landscape I Educational Strategies for Understanding the Territory.

The uniqueness of Iceland’s endemic landscape is due to its geographical position as an island in the North Atlantic, where the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates converge. This geographical and geological interaction has resulted in a territory characterized by volcanic activity and glacial landscapes, allowing for the development of an endemic ecosystem of great ecological, aesthetic, and heritage value.

The territory is distinguished by its diverse landscapes, which exhibit fragility and plasticity, constantly transforming due to the interaction between physical and biological elements. From the perspective of the indigenous ecosystems and the geographical characteristics of Iceland, its lava fields, geysers, hot springs, rugged coastlines, wetlands, prairies, mountains, and glaciers stand out. These natural particularities define the essence of the island.

Iceland is thus presented as a landscape on the border between water and land, an active landscape where the fire from beneath the earth merges with the low temperatures of the surface, creating an environment in which nature and culture coexist in a dynamic balance. Additionally, its endemic biodiversity and its importance as a sanctuary for migratory birds highlight its uniqueness and ability to adapt to the extreme conditions of the climate and geography of the territory.

Iceland presents an active landscape where the fire from beneath the earth merges with the low temperatures of the surface, creating an environment in which nature and culture coexist in a dynamic balance.

In this way, its landscape reflects the complexity and balance of its terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems, both surface and subterranean, functioning as a “living laboratory” for exploration, creation, and knowledge.

One of the distinctive landscapes of Iceland is Andakill, an ecological sanctuary and protected area located in the western part of the island, near a significant delta that, as a result of glacial erosion, is part of the Borgarfjörður fjord. The area is characterized by its diverse landscape, which integrates both agricultural heritage and biodiversity, with particular importance for birds. As a designated Ramsar site, Andakill plays a crucial role in the conservation of wetlands and their ecosystems.

This unique combination of agricultural lands, wetlands, and coastal features creates a complex and dynamic environment, making Andakill a key setting for ecological research, as well as for education and conservation initiatives. Thus, this place is not only a habitat for biodiversity but also an area of educational significance, housing the University and the Museum of Agriculture, establishing it as a fundamental space for the exchange of knowledge.

This unique combination of agricultural lands, wetlands, and coastal features creates a complex and dynamic environment, making Andakill a key setting for ecological research, as well as for education and conservation initiatives.

Focusing on biodiversity and local ecosystems, and with the aim of establishing connections between the place and knowledge, the team formed by Ivan Juarez, Helena Guttormsdóttir, and Nanna Vilborg has developed a series of educational approaches. These initiatives encourage ideas, reflections, and actions, inviting participants to explore new ways of understanding and interacting with the ecological sanctuary of Andakill.

The first strategy focuses on exploring the territory of the endemic landscape through an experiential immersion that stimulates the senses. Participants embark on a journey along the wetland trail, where the exploration of soundscapes, tactile experiences, scents, tastes, and visuals is encouraged, encompassing both micro and macro-scale landscapes.

The second approach consists of a three-day workshop aimed at students of environmental science and landscape architecture from the University of Agriculture in Iceland, focused on the biodiversity of bird species in Andakill.

The workshop is organized in two phases. The first, divided into two stages, focuses on the study of migratory and resident birds that inhabit the Andakill sanctuary. In this phase, each participant takes on the role of a specific bird species and expresses themselves in the first person, investigating questions that allow them to explore their journey and life: Where do I migrate from? How long does my migration take? What do I eat? Where do I build my nest and when do I raise my young? What do I eat during migration? What challenges do I face during my migration and in Andakill? This approach facilitates a deeper understanding of the characteristics of these birds, as well as their nesting, feeding patterns, and other relevant aspects.

Furthermore, an interactive map is created in which each participant, representing their assigned bird, traces their migratory route with threads, including the origins and paths of the birds to their destination in Iceland-Andakill. In this way, a common map is generated that reflects the diverse migratory routes of the different species.

The second phase is divided into two stages. In the first, after becoming familiar with the birds, the characteristics of the Andakill territory as a habitat for these species are explored. Four teams are formed to analyze the main environments: the river delta, wetlands, agricultural fields, and the urban area. This analysis is conducted within the framework of design-oriented research.

Finally, strategies are developed from each of the four environments. In this process, design approaches are applied to propose interventions aimed at improving, restoring, promoting, and disseminating the harmonious coexistence between biodiversity and human activities in the unique natural setting of Andakill.

The exercise explores the potential of design as a tool to preserve and enhance the wildlife of birds and ecosystems, highlighting the creation of birdwatching shelters and trails that optimize the experience in these areas, with a particular emphasis on ecotourism and environmental conservation.