Organisational chart

Organisational chart

The Icelandic Institute of Natural History has four departments: two core departments that reflect the primary role of the institute as stipulated by law, policy, and operations and two supporting departments that run projects in accordance with the core operations. In addition, there are teams that work on specific projects on a long- and short-term basis across all departments.

The executive board is comprised of the CEO and department directors.

Research and monitoring

The Department of Research and Monitoring is responsible for the collection and analysis of data on Iceland’s nature in the fields of zoology, botany, and geology. The main projects include:

  • Systematic registration and research of Icelandic nature
  • Mapping of biology and geology
  • Monitoring of key aspects of Icelandic nature
  • Supervision of bird ringing
  • Various service research

Scientific collections and outreach

The Department of Scientific Collections and Outreach is responsible for scientific research on Iceland's nature in the fields of zoology, botany, and geology as well as the publication and dissemination of this information. The main projects include:

  • Systematic registration and research of Icelandic nature
  • Preservation of natural specimens, writings, and other data from scientific collections and databases
  • Advice on the development of natural science exhibitions
  • Dissemination of knowledge on Icelandic nature to schools, the media, and the general public (science outreach)
  • Management of the library, document and photograph archives, website, and publications
  • Cartography and geographic information services

Nature protection

The Department of Nature Protection carries out a variety of projects that run across the two core areas and are related to the institute's role in promoting nature protection, maintaining biological and geological diversity, and guiding the rational use of natural resources. Among the projects are:

  • Advice on the moderate utilisation of natural resources
  • Advising the Ministry of the Environment, Energy and Climate
  • Reviews, for example, on planning permissions and environmental impact assessments
  • Registration of natural sites of special scientific interest and assessment of their conservation value
  • Management of part-C of the natural heritage register
  • Management of red lists for species and ecotypes
  • International relations

Operations

The Operations Department manages issues concerning the day-to-day operations of the institution. The main roles are:

  • Financial management
  • Human resources
  • Housing management and supervision of the reception
  • Operation of the computer system