In the Lupin Lab, Public & Science Sweden is collaborating with researchers to gather all of Sweden’s knowledge about garden lupine – from established control methods to personal experiences from individual gardeners. The focus of the project is the question of how local and scientific knowledge can be combined to achieve more effective and sustainable management of invasive species.
What is the Lupin Lab?
Lupin Lab is an initiative to collect and communicate both local and scientific knowledge about one of Sweden’s most widespread invasive species, the garden plant garden lupine. In the first phase of the project, interviews are conducted with a selection of individuals, with the aim of collecting experiences, methods and tips, as well as exploring their attitudes towards the control of invasive species. The interview material will be analysed and communicated, both via Lupinlabbet.se and through other channels.
By collecting experiences, methods, tips and opinions from people who have worked with lupine control either professionally or in their spare time, the Lupin Lab aims to contribute to strengthening and improving the management of lupines in Sweden. In the long term, we hope that the project will become a meeting point for lupine control and a pilot project for similar initiatives concerning other invasive species, both in Sweden and in other countries.
Why garden lupine?
Since its introduction in Sweden in the 1870s, garden lupine has spread across large parts of the country and today threatens both ecosystems and biodiversity, for example by displacing native plants. This reduces the diversity of flowers that pollinators depend on to find pollen and nectar during the summer.
In contrast to many other invasive species in Sweden, garden lupine is a plant that evokes mixed feelings. In many places it has become a common – and by some appreciated – feature of the landscape. The discussion about its control therefore creates strong engagement, and both incorrect information and myths about garden lupine occur.
And what is an invasive species?
Alien species are plants and animals that are moved to new locations by humans. Invasive alien species outcompete native species and often have serious and long-lasting effects on biodiversity and ecosystem stability. Therefore, it is important to increase understanding of how invasive species can be managed and controlled, as well as to better understand how people think and feel about invasive species. It is equally important that knowledge is communicated to those concerned so that, together, we can make more well-founded decisions about control methods and measures.
Collection of experiences underway
An important part of the Lupin Lab is collecting methods, tips and opinions from individuals who have tackled garden lupine in their local area. Through citizen science, we hope to gather local knowledge, insights and perspectives that are difficult for us as researchers to access on our own. The survey is now open (in Swedish) where individuals can share their experiences.
Project website: Lupinlabbet.se (in Swedish only).
Questions? Contact Project Manager David Borgström.
Lupin Lab is a collaboration between researchers at Umeå University and Karlstad University and the non-profit association Public & Science Sweden. The project is funded by the research council Formas and runs between 2025 and 2028.
