SCANNET

Name: Litla-Skard
Location: Iceland
Co-ordinates: 64º 43' 34'' N, 21º 37' 52'' E
Operating Institutions:

• Icelandic Institute of Natural History
• National Energy Authority
• Icelandic Meteorological Office
• Environmental and Food Agency of Iceland
• Agricultural Research Institute
• Iceland Forest Service

Web site/Other contact points:
Web site - Has not been constructed
Contact person - Borgthor Magnusson
Station department - Icelandic Institute of Natural History
Visiting address - Hlemmur 3, P.O. Box 5320
Postal code and city - 125 Reykjavik
Country - Iceland
Phone - 354 - 5 900 500
Fax - 354 - 5 900 595
Email -

Abstract
The Litla-Skard site was designated as a biomonitoring area in 1996. The initial objective was to establish a national site for the International Cooperative Programme on Integrated Monitoring of Air Pollution Effects on Ecosystems (ICP IM). At Litla-Skard there are no research buildings or labs and permanent staff is not located at the site. The research is driven from the home institutions and with the aid of automatic instruments. The main research emphasis up til now has been on chemistry of precipitation, groundwater and runoff water, climate and hydrology. Vegetation inventory has been carried out at the site and the main vegetation and soil types have been mapped. The research is mostly confined to a 56 ha catchment area. Automated weather and and hydrological stations were set up at the site in 2000. Stafholtsey weather observation station (13 km from LS) has been operated by the IMO from 1988. At Stykkisholmur weather observation station (65 km from LS) daily air temperature records date back to 1823.

Administration
At the Litla-Skard field site, sampling and monitoring is carried out year round. The monitoring activity is run jointly by the Icelandic Institute of Natural History, National Energy Authority, Icelandic Meteorological Office, Environmental and Food Agency of Iceland, Agricultural Research Institute and Iceland Forest Service. The Icelandic Institute of Natural History is in charge of the program and has carried the main responsibility during the last few years.

Main facility
The Litla-Skard site does not have research buildings or labs. There is, however, a well equipped, modern cottage at the site, with running water, electricity and central heating. It is owned by the Ministry of Agriculture and Forest Service. The cottage has 3 double rooms and can accommodate 6 - 8 people. The cottage can be rented for a moderate price throughout the year, excluding the main holiday season (June 15 - August 30). Litla-Skard is reached by car throughout the year. It is located by the main central highway, 100 km from Reykavik. Keflavik international airport is about two hours drive from the site.

Major Field Sites
ICP IM site

Related Facilities
Mývatn Research Station