A Review of Plant Communities of the Faroe Islands: Eitt yvirlit yvir føroysk plantusamfeløg

Abstract

The vegetation of the Faroe Islands is heavily grazed by sheep and affected by peat cutting. So-called "natural" vegetation, therefore, can only be found in inaccessible places. Racomitrium heaths, some snow-bed vegetation in areas with late-lying snow, and fell-field vegetation dominate the alpine vegetation. Calluna heaths are common in the lowlands on most of the islands. The heath vegetation is very mixed with many grasses, herbs and mosses. The most dominant vegetation in the Faroe
Islands is grassland vegetation, found from sea level to mountaintop. Three types of mires are found in the Faroe Islands, topogenic, soligenic, and ombrogenic. Raised bogs are not found. Most parts of the Faroese coastline consist of more or less vertical cliffs with a few sand beaches and salt marshes. Sand dunes are found in only one place.