1.2 Contact details of resource persons and institutions involved in the assessment and documentation of the Technology

1.3 Conditions regarding the use of data documented through WOCAT

The compiler and key resource person(s) accept the conditions regarding the use of data documented through WOCAT:

Yes

2.1 Short description of the Technology

Definition of the Technology:

The nootka lupine is sown in sandy and gravelly areas to increase the vegetation cover and fertilize the soil.

2.2 Detailed description of the Technology

Description:

The nootka lupine (Lupinus nootkatensis) is a legume that can survive in the harsh climate of Iceland. It was introduced from Alaska to increase soil cover and fertilize the sandy and gravelly soil. For that purpose, it has been widely used from 1990 onwards in degraded areas all over Iceland. Because of its large amount of seed production, the plant is able to reproduce rapidly and spread. The ability of the lupine to fix nitrogen through its root system reduces the need for fertilizer - especially when planting trees. Increased vegetation cover due to the lupine plants minimizes vulnerability to wind erosion. The ground is protected and sandstorms can be reduced. This also protects neighbouring fields, and public and private infrastructure from sand and dust storms.

The lupine is seeded with machinery in spring or very late autumn. It is planted in strips – rather than all over the ground - because the plant readily spreads and colonise. Before planting, lupine seed have to be inoculated with rhizobium bacteria. These bacteria help the plant to fix nitrogen: without this inoculation the plant wouldn’t survive in the bare soil. These bacteria are produced during winter time in a laboratory. The lupine needs no fertilizer after planting. Planting of lupine is an extremely cost-efficient and effective way of increasing soil cover and soil fertility. It is a one-off operation: no further action needs to be carried out afterwards.

However, the nootka lupin is very controversial in Iceland despite its apparent advantages both on and offsite. The use of lupines should be carefully considered, especially in sensitive and protected areas. The reason is that this non-native plant is very invasive and leads to the displacement of the native vegetation. Grazing does not stop lupines spreading: only young plants are eaten by sheep, but once mature, its bitterness renders it unpalatable. On a small-scale, it is possible - with great effort - to slow down the spread by cutting the flowers. On a large-scale, the spread can only be stopped with herbicides which is highly controversial. From the land user’s view, the planting of lupine reduces the aesthetic value of the landscape because of monoculture: diversity is lost. That is why people try to plant trees in such fields. Because of the controversy surrounding the plant, the technology has been little adopted by farmers and due to its invasiveness, the Soil Conservation Service stopped using the lupine in 2018.

2.3 Photos of the Technology

2.5 Country/ region/ locations where the Technology has been applied and which are covered by this assessment

2.6 Date of implementation

If precise year is not known, indicate approximate date:

• 10-50 years ago

2.7 Introduction of the Technology

Specify how the Technology was introduced:

• during experiments/ research
• through projects/ external interventions

3.1 Main purpose(s) of the Technology

• reduce, prevent, restore land degradation
• reduce risk of disasters

3.2 Current land use type(s) where the Technology is applied

Land use mixed within the same land unit:

No

3.3 Has land use changed due to the implementation of the Technology?

Has land use changed due to the implementation of the Technology?

• Yes (Please fill out the questions below with regard to the land use before implementation of the Technology)

3.4 Water supply

Water supply for the land on which the Technology is applied:

• rainfed

3.5 SLM group to which the Technology belongs

• improved ground/ vegetation cover
• ecosystem-based disaster risk reduction

3.6 SLM measures comprising the Technology

Comments:

Can be combined with birch tree planting.

3.7 Main types of land degradation addressed by the Technology

3.8 Prevention, reduction, or restoration of land degradation

Specify the goal of the Technology with regard to land degradation:

• reduce land degradation
• restore/ rehabilitate severely degraded land

4.1 Technical drawing of the Technology

4.2 General information regarding the calculation of inputs and costs

Specify how costs and inputs were calculated:

• per Technology area

other/ national currency (specify):

ISK

If relevant, indicate exchange rate from USD to local currency (e.g. 1 USD = 79.9 Brazilian Real): 1 USD =:

138.0

4.3 Establishment activities

	Activity	Timing (season)
1.	production of bakteria in labratory at Gunnarsholt	winter
2.	inoculat the seeds before seeding	spring time and very late autumn
3.	seeding lupine	spring time and very late autumn

4.4 Costs and inputs needed for establishment

	Specify input	Unit	Quantity	Costs per Unit	Total costs per input	% of costs borne by land users
Other	Seeding lupine (total costs)	ha	1.0	30000.0	30000.0
Total costs for establishment of the Technology					30000.0
Total costs for establishment of the Technology in USD					217.39

4.5 Maintenance/ recurrent activities

Comments:

There is no recurring activity.

4.6 Costs and inputs needed for maintenance/ recurrent activities (per year)

Comments:

There is no recurring activity.

4.7 Most important factors affecting the costs

Describe the most determinate factors affecting the costs:

workers, seeds, machinery

5.1 Climate

5.2 Topography

Indicate if the Technology is specifically applied in:

• not relevant

5.3 Soils

5.4 Water availability and quality

Is water salinity a problem?

No

Is flooding of the area occurring?

No

5.5 Biodiversity

5.6 Characteristics of land users applying the Technology

5.7 Average area of land used by land users applying the Technology

5.8 Land ownership, land use rights, and water use rights

Land ownership:

• state
• communal/ village

Land use rights:

• individual

Water use rights:

• individual

Are land use rights based on a traditional legal system?

Yes

5.9 Access to services and infrastructure

6.1 On-site impacts the Technology has shown

Socio-economic impacts

Water availability and quality

Socio-cultural impacts

Ecological impacts

Water cycle/ runoff

Soil

Biodiversity: vegetation, animals

Climate and disaster risk reduction

6.2 Off-site impacts the Technology has shown

6.3 Exposure and sensitivity of the Technology to gradual climate change and climate-related extremes/ disasters (as perceived by land users)

Climate-related extremes (disasters)

Biological disasters

	How does the Technology cope with it?
insect/ worm infestation	moderately

Comments:

The lupine has been infested by a larvae in recent years. However, its population has collapsed and thus shrunk considerably.

6.4 Cost-benefit analysis

How do the benefits compare with the establishment costs (from land users’ perspective)?

How do the benefits compare with the maintenance/ recurrent costs (from land users' perspective)?

6.5 Adoption of the Technology

• 1-10%

Of all those who have adopted the Technology, how many did so spontaneously, i.e. without receiving any material incentives/ payments?

• 0-10%

6.6 Adaptation

Has the Technology been modified recently to adapt to changing conditions?

Yes

other (specify):

stopp further seeding

Specify adaptation of the Technology (design, material/ species, etc.):

Due to its invasiveness in Iceland, the Soil Conservation Service of Iceland stopped using the lupine in 2018.

6.7 Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities of the Technology

Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the land user’s view
The use of lupines is a very cost-effective application, which protects the soil well against wind erosion.

Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view
The use of lupines is a very cost-effective application, which protects the soil well against wind erosion.
Less artificial fertiliser has to be used because the lupine fertilizes the soil.
Sowing the lupine is a unique application. No further operations need to be carried out after that.

6.8 Weaknesses/ disadvantages/ risks of the Technology and ways of overcoming them

Weaknesses/ disadvantages/ risks in the land user’s view	How can they be overcome?
Lupine is very invasive and displaces native plants.	The use of lupines should be carefully considered. On a small scale, it is possible with great effort to slow down the spread by cutting the flowers. On a large scale, the only possibility to stop the spreading would be the use of herbicides.
The aesthetic value of the landscape is reduced by the monoculture of lupines.	By planting trees in the lupines the aesthetic value can be increased.

Weaknesses/ disadvantages/ risks in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view	How can they be overcome?
The non-native plant is very invasive and produces large quantities of seeds why it is spreading rapidly. This leads to the displacement of the native vegetation. This can become a significant problem in protected areas (national parks).	The use of lupines should be carefully considered, especially in sensitive and protected areas. On a small scale, it is possible with great effort to slow down the spread by cutting the flowers. On a large scale, the only possibility to stop the spreading would be the use of herbicides.
The lupine is very invasive and spreads very quickly.	The SCS has stopped planting lupine since 2018.

7.1 Methods/ sources of information

7.3 Links to relevant online information

Title/ description:

Webpage Soil Conservation Service of Iceland

URL:

https://land.is/english/