SPUR Project

2011 winner (13 of 20)

The soil seed bank of lupinus nootkatensis on glacier forelands in south-east Iceland

Supervisor: Dr Jane Robbins (Animal, Rural and Environmental Sciences)

Students: Jade Foster and Matthew Gibbons

Lupinus nootkatensis was introduced to Iceland in the 1990s to promote land reclamation of eroded areas, as the species forms dense stands within a short period of time and adds nitrogen to the soil. However, it can also disrupt natural ecosystems by spreading rapidly from sites of initial introduction and is now considered an invasive alien species. The project involved analysis of the soil seed bank (considered a neglected area of biogeography) to assess the current spatial distribution and abundance of L. nootkatensis seeds. This is related to the density of established L. nootkatensis stands and thus is able to provide valuable information for future management of the species and to contribute to understanding of the processes involved in the spread and establishment of invasive alien species generally. The students undertook a literature review and travelled to Iceland to collect and examine substrate samples. The students also performed statistical analysis of the collected data and produced a record of the research experience for NOW.