Biodiversity at Tjörnin, ‘The Pond,’ in Reykjavík has markedly improved in recent years, according to Stefán Már Stefánsson, a biologist at the Marine Research Institute.
“Yes, we have primarily seen an increase in vegetation,” Stefán told RÚV. “The pond has overgrown. Before 2015, there was very little bottom vegetation in it, but after that it has been overgrowing, and from 2015–20 it was completely overgrown.”
A growing ecosystem
Tjörnin remains a popular spot for bird feeding, especially outside the concert hall and culture centre Iðnó. However, Stefán said that supplementary feeding is unnecessary in summer and can even harm the ecosystem by disrupting natural diets.
“It would be more in the winter when there would be any need for it. But overall they get by just fine without it,” he told the news agency. Hornworts, insects, and tiny crustaceans provide ample food for ducks, seagulls and sometimes even herons.
