The Lupine Invasion of Iceland

It seemed like a good idea at the time… In 1945, the Icelandic Forest Service took seeds of the Nootka Lupine (Lupinus nootkatensis) from its Alaskan home and introduced it to the island’s most eroded areas in the hope it would help to replenish the soil. Seen as a bridging tool to hold back erosion until trees could be re-established, the lupine had other ideas. It quickly spread, and is now classified by Iceland’s environment agency as an invasive species. Soon, it could cover up to ten percent of the country. On the upside, it is very, very pretty. Image Credit ImageThis story began over a thousand years ago. Iceland was first permanently settled in 874 AD and for many centuries, life was hard for its inhabitants. Dense birchwood forest covered about a quarter of the island – and being stuck on the North-Atlantic Ridge, the settlers did the obvious thing – they cut the forest down. It was cleared to graze sheep, to build houses, to warm the growing population through. After three…