The ecosystem found in the Highlands region of Iceland is called a volcanic desert. There aren't manThe ecosystem found in the Highlands region of Iceland is called a volcanic desert . There aren't many volcanic deserts around the world, and that may be a good thing. Frequent volcanic activity in the Icelandic Highlands creates a porous topsoil full of chemical compounds that aren't conducive to plant growth. Besides, much of the rainfall is so quickly absorbed that plant life only appears alongside glacial rivers, like the ones seen in this photo.Authorities in Iceland close the access roads into the Highlands at the end of summer, since heavy snow makes most of the terrain even more inhospitable during the other nine months of the year. That said, during the summer months you'll have plenty of daylight to explore this unusual place courtesy of the midnight sun ... See more See less
