Rit Mógilsár - 2019, Qupperneq 68

68 | F a g r á ð s t e f n a 2 0 1 9

Spruce Provenance Study in Iceland
Mai Duong
mai_duong@hotmail.com
Abstract
Skógræktin has an ongoing provenance study for several spruce species that was
started about twenty years ago with a majority of the trees originating in southern
Alaska and western Canada. Trees in the project include Sitka spruce (Picea sitchensis),
black spruce (Picea mariana), white spruce (Picea glauca), blue spruce (Picea pungens),
Serbian spruce (Picea omorika), and spruce hybrids. Overall, the goal is to find which
sources of trees are best suited for afforestation. With nine field sites around Iceland,
data on tree height, diameter and form have been collected at different time points
with the most recent occurrence in 2018. From a preliminary analysis of the field data,
site location and provenance had a strong influence on survival rates and height
growth (p<0.001). Generally, site conditions that sheltered the spruce trees from frost,
salt, and wind damage provided the best opportunity for survival and growth,
especially for the Sitka spruce trees that came from a latitude near 60º N. However, in
frost prone areas, the hybrids containing Sitka and white spruces fared better than the
other species. Utilizing this information will help bring forests back to Iceland in a way
that brings environmental advantages, such as minimizing soil erosion and carbon
sequestration. Eventually, a viable timber industry may develop and benefit the
country’s economy through sustainable resource management. With climate change
possibly leading to drastic impacts to the landscape, knowledge regarding non-native
sources of spruce that would thrive in Iceland increases the likelihood of future
forestry plans experiencing long-term success.