This paper compiles available information on the effects of sheep grazing on vegetation, soil properties and other organisms in the rangelands of Iceland. While the scarcity of studies prevented drawing general conclusions, there were some consistent trends. The extent of bare ground was significantly higher in grazed areas and grazing affected plant community structure. This indicates that sheep grazing increases the potential for soil erosion in Icelandic rangelands. A better understanding of the ecological impacts of sheep grazing is required to inform sustainable grazing practices adapted to the local conditions of this region. You can access the full publication here.
Reference: Marteinsdóttir, B., Barrio, I.C. and Jónsdóttir, I.S. (2017) Assessing the ecological impacts of extensive sheep grazing in Iceland. Icelandic Agricultural Sciences 30:57-72.