Flora
The lush fjords of Seiland were previously used for haymaking and livestock grazing, and the area is still grazed today by reindeer, and, in some places, sheep. This long land-use history has created distinctive cultural landscapes with green hillsides dominated by grasses, perennials, and herbs. The barren mountain areas are home to species such as snow buttercups, glacier buttercups, salt marsh sandworts and other alpine plants that are becoming increasingly rare in Norway due to a changing climate. Seiland’s northern location appears to still offer a safe haven for these plants.
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Many of the plants you may encounter on your hike were once important ingredients in everyday households. The young shoots of angelica (Angelica archangelica) were an essential source of vitamin C in the early summer. The angelica was peeled and eaten like rhubarb, or preserved in jars and served as a vegetable together with fish. Siberian chives (Allium schoenoprasum) were used to make “løkhau”: boiled fish heads stuffed with chives and liver. Common butterwort (Pinguicula vulgaris) was used to make long milk, by pouring milk over the leaves and letting it stand for a day or so. This gave the milk a more pudding-like consistency and making it last longer. Leaves of common lady’s mantle (Alchemilla vulgaris) were applied as natural bandages to clean infected wounds, while bark from the downy birch (Betula pubescens) was used to waterproof traditional Sámi beak boots and leather clothes. Rootstocks from roseroots (Rhodiola rosea) were collected and fed to the cows in early spring, when the animals needed extra vitamin C. The local names for roseroot include “calf dance” and “calf grass”.
Fauna
Seiland’s many desolate and steep mountain areas with numerous sea cliffs are home to several species of birds of prey. White-tailed eagles and golden eagles nest here, together with gyrfalcons, merlins, kestrels and buzzards. Wading birds such as curlews, redshanks and sandpipers thrive in the mountain lakes and along the shore, while seabirds such as cormorants, guillemots and razorbills abound on the coast.
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Reindeer and sheep are the only large mammals on the island, although moose have occasionally been known to swim across the strait. If you are lucky you might spot an otter playing on the shore, or a hare hopping in the heather. You will also find stoats, weasels, mink and small rodents on Seiland.