Once, Iceland was covered with forest. In the early days of settlement, trees were cleared for fuel, building materials and grazing. The introduction of livestock, particularly sheep has prevented the regeneration of much of the native woodlands. Today, areas of birch and willow still grow in sheltered valleys (eg Skaftafell) and in some places conifers and larch have been planted particularly around Lake Lagarfljót in Egilsstađir.
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