Invasive lupine plant wreaks havoc on Finland’s native flora and fauna, challenging conservation efforts

The landscape in Finland has been transformed by the spread of lupine, an invasive plant species that has replaced native plants such as wild strawberries and wildflowers along roadsides. This shift is also impacting pollinating insects, which rely on the displaced native plants for food and are forced to eat lupine, which provides them with no benefits.

While in theory lupine could be entirely removed from Finland’s natural environment, in practice this is not possible due to the resources and time it would take. Markus Seppälä, a nature conservation expert in South Ostrobothnia, points out that the spread of lupine serves as a reminder to tackle invasive species when they’re still new and rare.

Despite this, efforts are still being made to control the spread of lupine. For instance, roadside areas are mowed to slow down the lupine’s spread. Resources are prioritized to keep lupine away from nature reserves, ridge areas, and roadsides where more valuable endangered plant species are found.

In the past, invasive species were planted along roadsides to prevent soil erosion, but these plants have now become a problem. Lupine, for instance, was seen along roadsides 20 years ago, and it’s from these roadsides that the plant has spread most rapidly. Heli Jutila, the executive director of Ostrobothnia’s water and environment association, recalls that road authorities even saved lupine in the past, not realizing the harm they would cause by enriching the soil, making it unsuitable for many other plants.

Another invasive plant, the giant hogweed, has also spread from home gardens or municipal plantings, either by its own means or with human assistance. Despite the challenges, efforts to remove lupine continue, with various plans and projects aimed at areas near nature reserves. Jutila encourages everyone to try and make a difference, for instance, by uprooting lupine in their own yards.