The Icelandic Institute of Natural History dates back to 1889 when the Icelandic Natural History Society established a Natural History Museum in Reykjavik. Now owned and run by the State, the Institute conducts basic and applied research on the nature of Iceland in the fields of botany, geology and zoology. The Institute maintains scientific specimen collections and holds data banks on the Icelandic nature, i.e. all animal and plant species, rocks and minerals, it assembles literature on the natural history of Iceland, operates the Icelandic Bird‐Ringing Scheme, prepares distribution, vegetation, and geological maps, conducts research in connection with environmental impact assessments and sustainability, advises on sustainable use of natural resources and land use, and monitors and assesses the conservation value of species, habitats and ecosystems. Member/connected to global network: IINH is the national representative in the Bern Convention on the conservation of European wildlife and natural habitats and participates in the several working groups of the Convention in areas that are relevant to Iceland. IINH is the national representative in The Conservation of Arctic Flora and Fauna (CAFF) and has had a representative on the board of CAFF from the beginning. IINH participates in expert groups on marine birds, vegetation, sanctuaries, and biodiversity monitoring in the Arctic within the CAFF. IINH is further participating in the work of a Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical and Technological Advice (SBSTTA) under the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD). IINH is the national representative in the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) and participates in The North European and Baltic Network on Invasive Alien Species (NOBANIS) on behalf of Iceland. Type of network: ‐ Species monitoring ‐ Area monitoring, incl. protected areas ‐ Thematic observations ‐ Community based observations ‐ Endangered species Main gaps: Not specified Network type: ‐ Species monitoring ‐ Area monitoring, incl. protected areas ‐ Thematic observations ‐ Community based observations ‐ Endangered species
The Icelandic Bird Ringing Scheme. Ecological and monitoring studies of ecosystems and species, e.g. White‐tailed Eagle, Gyrfalcon, Black Guillemot and other seabirds, Brent Goose, and Ptarmigan, as well as all red listed plant and animal species. Atlas of the breeding distribution of Icelandic birds. Annual Christmas Bird Counts. Species composition, monitoring and distribution of terrestrial and marine invertebrates. Environmental Impact Assessments, ecological research and recommendations on economic important and pest species. Mapping of habitat types, terrestral, freshwater and coastline. Vegetation monitoring in permanent plots. ICP Vegetation ‐ Heavy metal concentrations in mosses. Climatic change. Keeping of checklists. Depository of information on straggling species. Research and listing of endangered and invasive species. Biodiversity Information Centre and the Icelandic Museum of Scientific Specimens.
Náttúrufræðistofnun Íslands ‐ The Icelandic Institute of Natural History, IINH (IINH)
Not specified Networks: Bern Convention on the conservation of European wildlife and natural habitats (Bern Convention), Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical and Technological Advice (SBSTTA) under the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) (CBD SBSTTA), The North European and Baltic Network on Invasive Alien Species (NOBANIS) (NOBANIS), Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) (GBIF), Conservation of Arctic Flora and Fauna (CAFF) (CAFF)
Not specified