Around 55% of the Icelandic alpine habitats are sparsely vegetated. These areas were formerly largely covered with heathland vegetation, which has been degraded in historic time due to grazing, combined with harsh environmental conditions and volcanic activity (Arnalds 2015, Agustsdottir 2015). There is growing pressure for development of the highlands, especially from the energy sector (construction of dams and hydro and geothermal plants) and tourism (Ministry for the Environment and the Icelandic Institute of Natural History 2001).