View source for Place:Vatnsmýrin Nature Reserve

{{Short description|Protected moorland in Reykjavík, Iceland}}
{{Infobox protected area
| name = Vatnsmýrin Nature Reserve
| iucn_category =
| photo =Reykjavikurtjorn holminn.jpg
| photo_caption = Near Nordic House
| location = Vatnsmýrin Nature Reserve in [[Place:Reykjavík|Reykjavík]]
| nearest_city = [[Place:Reykjavík|Reykjavík]]
|map =Iceland
| coordinates = {{coord|64|08|18|N|21|56|37|W|display=inline, title}}
| area = {{convert|37026|m2}}
| established = 1981
| visitation_num =
| visitation_year =
| governing_body =
}}
[[File:Reykjavík 16.jpg|thumbnail|Nordic House borders the reserve.]]
The '''Vatnsmýrin Nature Reserve''' ({{IPA-is|ˈvassˌmiːrɪn}}, "water marsh") is a protected [[Earth:Moorland|moorland]] in [[Place:Reykjavík|Reykjavík]], Iceland.<ref name=nordichouse.is>{{cite web|title=Life in the Vatnsmýri|url=http://www.nordichouse.is/forsidu-vidburdir/nr/757|publisher=Nordic House|accessdate=26 July 2013}}</ref>
The reserve provides a water source for Tjörnin Lake and is a nesting ground for birds.<ref name=Reserve>{{cite magazine| url=http://www.icelandreview.com/icelandreview/daily_news/Actions_Planned_for_Reykjav%C3%ADk_Nature_Reserve_0_385166.news.aspx |title=Actions Planned for Reykjavík Nature Reserve|date=7 December 2012|accessdate=25 July 2013|magazine=Iceland Review}}</ref>
It borders the Nordic House and the [[Organization:University of Iceland|University of Iceland]]. The area within the Reserve including drains and fences, and measures {{convert|37026|m2}}.<ref name= Palsson>{{Cite web|first=Jóhann |last=Pálsson |url=http://www.reykjavik.is/Portaldata/1/Resources/umhverfissvid/_tg_fur/Fri_dland_11-2003-6.pdf|format=pdf|title=Nature Reserve in Vatnsmýri, flora and vegetation|language=Icelandic|accessdate=25 July 2013|publisher=Reykjavik- Environmental Health and Protection|year=2003}}</ref> Eighty-three species of vascular plants are documented.<ref name= Palsson/> Biodiversity has been inhibited due to invasive animals and plants as well as industrial waste.<ref name=nordichouse.is />

==History==
Parts of what is now Vatnsmýri had been used as agricultural fields since the 19th century. In the 20th century, building activity encroached into the area. As the area had been known for its importance for wetland nesting birds, Vatnsmýri was designated a Nature Conservation area in 1981. The lake and parts of the wetland were established as a nature reserve in 1984 by the Reykjavík City Council.<ref name= Palsson/> A general conservation plan, particularly for activities related to the nesting area of birds, was developed for the period of 1990–2001 by the City Council. A master plan for the period 2001–2024 was subsequently developed with detailing for pond areas, fencing, walkways, and bridges. Consequently, to filling the pond area, the water level in the canals rose by {{convert|2.75|m}} with corresponding rise of ground water levels by {{convert|3.2|m}}.<ref name= Palsson/> In 2012, the Nordic House promoted an exhibit on Vatnsmýrin.<ref name=nordichouse.is />

==Vegetation==
A floral survey was carried out in 2003 which identified species of vascular plants in the reserve. Swamp vegetation is the common flora. This is characterized as wetland vegetation, vegetation on an old excavation area, as well as vegetation on embankments. A report of 83 species vascular plants, itemized 65 as original Icelandic flora. Varied soil conditions in the reserve are attributed to the large floral diversity. The vascular plant species identified are the following:<ref name= Palsson/>
{{div col|colwidth=15em}}
* ''[[Biology:Achillea millefolium|Achillea millefolium]]''
* ''[[Biology:Achillea ptarmica|Achillea ptarmica]]''
* ''[[Biology:Aconitum|Aconitum x stoerkiana Reichenb]]''
* ''[[Biology:Agrostis capillaris|Agrostis capillaris]]''
* ''[[Biology:Agrostis stolonifera|Agrostis stolonifera]]''
* ''[[Biology:Alchemilla alpina|Alchemilla alpina]]''
* ''[[Biology:Alchemilla|Alchemilla glomerulans Buser]]''
* ''[[Biology:Alchemilla|Alchemilla tela]]''
* ''[[Biology:Alopecurus pratensis|Alopecurus pratensis]]''
* ''[[Biology:Angelica archangelica|Angelica archangelica]]''
* ''[[Biology:Anthoxanthum odoratum|Anthoxanthum odoratum]]''
* ''[[Biology:Anthriscus sylvestris|Anthriscus sylvestris Hoff]]''
* ''[[Biology:Betula pubescens|Betula pubescens Ehrh]]''
* ''[[Biology:Bromus inermis|Bromus inermis leysse]]''
* ''[[Biology:Calamagrostis stricta|Calamagrostis Strict Koele]]''
* ''[[Biology:Caltha palustris|Caltha palustris]]''
* ''[[Biology:Cardamine pratensis|Card Mine pratensis]]''
* ''[[Biology:Carex lyngbyei|Carex lyngbyei Horne]]''
* ''[[Biology:Carex nigra|Carex nigra Reichardt]]''
* ''[[Biology:Cerastium|Cerastium]]''
* ''[[Biology:Matricaria discoidea|Chamomilla suaveolens Rydb]]''
* ''[[Biology:Cirsium arvense|Cirsium arvense scop]]''
* ''Dactylis Glomerata''
* ''[[Biology:Deschampsia cespitosa|Deschampsia caespitosa Beauv]]''
* ''[[Biology:Elymus repens|Elymus repens Gould]]''
* ''[[Biology:Epilobium palustre|Epilobium palustre]]''
* ''[[Biology:Epilobium ciliatum|Epilobium Watsonia Barbey]]''
* ''[[Biology:Equisetum arvense|Equisetum arvense]]''
* ''[[Biology:Equisetum palustre|Equisetum palustre]]''
* ''[[Biology:Eriophorum angustifolium|Eriophorum angustifolium]]''
* ''[[Biology:Euphrasia|Euphrasia Frigida Pugsley]]''
* ''[[Biology:Festuca rubra|Festuca rubra]]''
* ''[[Biology:Festuca vivipara|Festuca vivi pair Sm]]''
* ''[[Biology:Filipendula ulmaria|Filipendula ulmaria Maxim]]''
* ''[[Biology:Galium verum|Galium verum]]''
* ''[[Biology:Hippuris vulgaris|Hippuris vulgaris]]''
* ''[[Biology:Juncus|Juncus alpinoarticulatus Chaix]]''
* ''[[Biology:Juncus|Juncus articus Wild]]''
* ''[[Biology:Juncus articulatus|Juncus articulates]]''
* ''Leontodon autumnalis''
* ''[[Biology:Leymus arenarius|Leymus arenarius Hochst]]''
* ''[[Biology:Luzula multiflora|Luzula multi flora Lej]]''
* ''Matricaria maritima''
* ''[[Biology:Menyanthes|Menyanthes trifoliate]]''
* ''[[Biology:Montia fontana|Montia fontana]]''
* ''[[Biology:Myosotis arvensis|Myosotis arvensis]]''
* ''[[Biology:Parnassia palustris|Parnassia palustris]]''
* ''[[Biology:Phalaris arundinacea|Phalaris arundinacea]]''
* ''[[Biology:Timothy-grass|Phleum pretense]]''
* ''[[Biology:Pinguicula vulgaris|Pinguicula vulgaris]]''
* ''[[Biology:Plantago maritima|Plantago maritima]]''
* ''[[Biology:Poa annua|Poa annua]]ls''
* ''[[Biology:Poa pratensis|Poa pratensis]]''
* ''[[Biology:Argentina anserina|Potentilla anserine]]''
* ''[[Biology:Comarum palustre|Potentilla palustris scop]]''
* ''[[Biology:Ranunculus acris|Ranunculus acris]]''
* ''[[Biology:Ranunculus repens|Ranunculus repens]]''
* ''[[Biology:Rhinanthus minor|Rhinanthus minor]]''
* ''[[Biology:Rumex acetosa|Rumex acetosa]]''
* ''[[Biology:Rumex acetosella|Rumex acetosella]]''
* ''[[Biology:Rumex longifolius|Rumex longifolius]]''
* ''[[Biology:Sagina procumbens|Saws procumbens]]''
* ''[[Biology:Salix alaxensis|Salix alaxensis]]''
* ''[[Biology:Salix caprea|Salix caprea]]''
* ''[[Biology:Salix lanata|Salix lanata]]''
* ''[[Biology:Salix myrsinifolia|Salix myrsinifolia]]''
* ''[[Biology:Salix phylicifolia|Salix phylicifolia]]''
* ''[[Biology:Senecio vulgaris|Senecio vulgaris]]''
* ''[[Biology:Sorbus aucuparia|Sorbus aucuparia]]''
* ''[[Biology:Stellaria graminea|Stellaria graminea]]''
* ''[[Biology:Stellaria media|Stellaria media]]''
* ''[[Biology:Taraxacum officinale|Taraxacum officinale]]''
* ''[[Biology:Trifolium medium|Trifolium medium]]''
* ''[[Biology:Trifolium repens|Trifolium repens]]''
* ''[[Biology:Triglochin palustris|Triglochin palustris]]''
* ''Tussilago farfara''
* ''[[Biology:Valeriana|Valeriana sambucifolia]]''
* ''[[Biology:Vicia cracca|Vicia cracca]]''
* ''[[Biology:Vicia sepium|Vicia sepium]]''
* ''[[Biology:Viola palustris|Viola palustris]]''
{{div col end}}
{{multiple image
| image1       =  Cirsium arvense with Bees Richard Bartz.jpg 
| width1       = 150
| image2       =  Salix caprea8.jpg 
| width2       = 250
| footer       = Left: Creeping [[Thistle]] Cirsium arvense. Right: Salix caprea
| footer_align = left
}}

==Conservation==
As a result of deterioration noted in the wetlands of Vatnsmýrin Reserve in recent years, the number of birds reported in the lake demonstrates a declining trend. This is attributed to the lack of adequate nesting grounds, though as a reserve, the nesting area has lacked adequate protection for nearly a decade as result of invasive plant species and animals. [[Biology:Chervil|Chervil]] and [[Thistle|thistle]], which have grown dense, preclude birds from nesting. Action plans have been initiated jointly by the Nordic House, the University of Iceland, and City Council to improve the conditions in the reserve by removing invasive species, replacing these with wetland vegetation, building embankments, building sedimentation ponds in the main stream to improve the flow through the moors, and de-silting the lake.<ref name=Reserve/>

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
* [http://www.vatnsmyri.is/ Official website] (Icelandic language)

{{DEFAULTSORT:Vatnsmyrin Nature Reserve}}
[[Category:Protected areas of Iceland]]

{{Sourceattribution|Vatnsmýrin Nature Reserve}}