Seigla samfélaga: Sjálfbær landbúnaður og eldfjallavá

Málstofustjóri: Salvör Jónsdóttir

What can we learn from previous generations? Álftaver’s experience of the 1918 Katla eruption

Residents in Álftaver are very familiar with the 1918 Katla eruption, which caused rapid large-scale flooding of the area. Descriptions of the 1918 events, passed down by older generations, have become an important part of the collective memory. As a future eruption of Katla may impact Álftaver, emergency response plans were developed, and in March 2006 evacuation plans were tested in a full-scale exercise involving residents and emergency response groups. But Álftaver residents questioned the original plans and were reluctant to follow evacuation orders during the exercise, as they felt their knowledge and the experience of their relatives during the 1918 Katla eruption, had not been taken into consideration. This paper provides a vivid account, including detailed maps, of what people experienced and felt during the 1918 Katla eruption. It also considers how these experiences influence current-day perceptions and the impact this may have on behaviour in relation to emergency response strategies. In doing so, the paper aims to improve understanding, from a societal point of view, the nature of eruptions and their associated hazards, and consider how inherited, experiential knowledge might prove useful in the organisation of emergency response strategies and implementation of evacuation plans for a potential Katla eruption.

Guðrún Gísladóttir, Deanne K. Bird and Emmanuel Pagneux

Lykilorð: volcanic hazards, experiential knowledge, emergency response

Residents’ perceptions of social support networks when responding to and recovering from the 2010 eruption of Eyjafjallajökull

Many settlements in Iceland are located near active volcanic systems. Although fatalities are rare, volcanic eruptions can have severe consequences. Localized social support networks, providing emotional, informational and tangible support, are crucial for communities dealing with the impact of eruptions. This study examined how residents living in the vicinity of Eyjafjallajökull experienced the 2010 eruption, the challenges they faced and their perception of social support networks. The research approach was qualitative, focusing on the source of their challenges and how the social support networks enabled residents’ response and recovery. The data was drawn from in-depth interviews of families living near Eyjafjallajökull, as well as from public documents. The unanticipated impact of the volcanic ash raised multiple concerns among residents and caused challenges that exceeded their ability to manage. However, strong social support from primary group members and local emergency workers was a key factor in optimizing response and recovery efforts. This research aims to enhance our understanding of the relations between social support networks and disaster mitigation. The paper outlines recommendations on how the social support networks can be better supported to render the recovery phase more efficient and reduce the impact of natural hazards on the population of Iceland.

Ingibjörg Lilja Ómarsdóttir, Guðrún Gísladóttir, Guðrún Pétursdóttir and Deanne K. Bird

Lykilorð: náttúruhamfarir, félagslegt stuðningsnet, seigla samfélaga

Sustainable food production and land use planning

Rich literature exists on food systems and urban planning, yet less is known about food system and rural planning and further more on the connection between rural planning, agricultural policies and food production. A qualitative systematic literature review is being conducted with focus on the following: 1) Sustainable rural development and land use, with focus on how it relates to agriculture, the characteristics of the land use, elements and effectiveness of agricultural policies, and type of food production. 2) Planning for sustainable rural development and land use, with focus on land use policies, integration with agricultural policies and guidelines on food production. 3) Sustainable food systems, with focus on the agricultural part of the system, the characteristics of its land use and agricultural policies, and the type of food production. 4) Planning for sustainable food system, with focus on land use policies, integration with agricultural policies and guidelines on food production.Moreover, the review illuminates how the balance between the pillars of sustainability; economy, environment and equity, is represented in literature. The study is conducted with special attention on relevance to Icelandic circumstances.All documents are coded using the Atlas.ti software that further eases synergy analysis of subjects and fields.

Salvör Jónsdóttir og Guðrún Gísladóttir

Lykilorð: land use planning, sustainable food production, food systems