How ICELAND is CHANGING (fast)

Lupinus Nootkatensis or Nootka Lupine has been introduced to Iceland in 1945 and has been succesfully spreading ever since. It got to a point where people go cut in their free time as Nootka became a threat to native species. Iceland is changing and nobody knows when or if it's going to stop.

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#iceland

[jacobkeller]

I just learned about this issue in Iceland yesterday. Lupine will benefit Iceland’s soil quality. It’s definitely there to stay at this point. But Icelanders will have to accept the responsibility of keeping it in balance with other plant life, and pushing plant succession along—planting shrubs and trees in lupine areas and keeping them there. From what I’ve heard about their culture and way of life they’ll be more willing to accept that responsibility than Americans are for their lands (speaking from US). Awesome video and thanks for putting this issue out there! Plant nerd here and a video about Iceland’s native plants would be so cool!!!

[iandangelo-od]

in fact it is a pioneer plant, it is important in plant development, without it I think it would be difficult for mass reforestation to be effective

[urskrik]

This is not a Fight Fire with Fire situation.

it's a Fight Lupines with Trees Situation

[RCSVirginia]

After they have been established and enriched the soil for some time, these lupine meadows would be perfect sites to plant birch, willow, aspen and rowan trees, all native to Iceland, as well as the descendants of Scots Pines in Iceland that have developed resistance to aphid infection. If there is a sheep presence in these areas, wire cages could be placed around the saplings until they are large enough to survive. Young trees that are already taller than the lupine could be planted, or the lupines in the area just around the sapling could be cut back. Once the trees have grown taller than the meadow plants, they will do nicely and will eventually shade out the lupine. These future diverse forests will benefit wildlife and will curb erosion.

[Narukoopa]

I've seen these plants in so many pictures of Iceland. Always thought they looked nice, but I never knew there was much more to them than meets the eye. Interesting topic!

[brandoncaglern]

This is a very underrated film. I am surprised you only have 11 k views. Great video!

[BradJohnson-cy]

I have known of this issue for a few months now. From what I gather is that these plants should fix nitrogen and over time add that and organic matter into the soil. Areas of that can be sprayed to kill it out and then trees and other plants are planted to speed up the succession process. If they are a light demanding plant like I think they are then they will fade once trees begin to shade them out. The lupines that are native to the American states of Kansas and Missouri are always out in the open. you never see them where they will get much shade. Beside these should help curb wind erosion. Petr, have you or anyone else in Iceland ever seen some of the old footages of the infamous dust bowl that plagued the American Great Plains during the great drought of the 1930s? Iceland doesn't need that kind of erosion. Some might think of these as a problem. But I see them as a temporary problem that will pass with careful planning and patience. Please make more videos on the current issues in Iceland. Especially ones that are in regards to nature. I enjoyed this and thanks for sharing.

[colleeneggertson]

Well explained. I gather in some areas of Iceland people build fences around areas they want to plant trees so that they don't get eaten by the sheep before they can get established.

[mjoelnir]

There is a lot of nonsense said from the lupin haters. You see most lupin taking over bar land, it does not encroach a lot on grown land. Something has to cover this soil, or it will wash or blow away. The Icelandic vegetation, that is left after the forests were devastated, does not do a good job at reclaiming those bare areas.

[shababaltaf]

Commenting for algorithm! Cool video 👍

[sigurdurgretarsson]

Wow, this is a very well made video. Colour me impressed :)

I don´t really know what to think about the lupine, like you say there are positives and negatives.
In many places I see them covering areas that have been almost like a desert and that is of course good. If they are smothering native plants and never "giving up" the areas they spread over, that´s bad.
Somehow I was of the impression that the lupine would retreat after a while, leaving the ground more ready for other plants to grow there. Maybe that´s just nonsense? I have to admit I don´t know much about it :)

Thanks for a very interesting video, and p.s. is that Húsavík I see in the background?

[steveilicous]

This conversation is incomplete without talking about the plans and execution of tree planting AFTER the lupins...please complete the story.

[ssten]

Moc pěkné video, škoda, že musím číst titulky. Lupinu mám moc ráda už od dětství.

[workingtravelingover]

Awesome video of the nature history of iceland. Very informative. Peace, love and harmony from your new friend.

[Valyssi]

Same in Scotland, heather, gorse and broom outcompete everything else, so once most of the trees were cut down, they're not coming back without intervention. Then of course you have the deer (and to a lesser extent sheep) which further prevent the establishment of trees. The resulting landscape is stunning nonetheless, though I'd say far less than Iceland, but it's important tourists are aware that a "rugged landscape" isn't necessarily entirely natural

[mannu]

I am following you from last few months, i like your videos of Iceland...it's really a great that you are making us able to see the Beauty of nature...lots of love brother

[mikeyKnows_]

Goats eat blue bonnet here in Texas even if they are toxic, I mean goats eat everything.

[johnbrennick]

Thanks, this is great. One minor item though! Everyone always says the only mammal in Iceland when first settled was the fox, but didn't the fox eat tiny mammals like lemmings or mice? I don't know, but I think foxes eating only birds perhaps can't live well!

[aleencaeli]

This vid is so good and original!! I was happy watching it, but a little sad about how invasive it is. Still think it's pretty 😭 I think we have some here in washington state. I see similar flowers on my hikes.

[raphlvlogs]

all legumes are nitrogen fixation plants