Biological resources

The biological resources available on the Lyngen peninsula depend greatly on the hard metemorphosized Gabbro alps that shape the local topography. Following the path of these massive formations the majority of the peninsula has been set aside by the Norwegian government as a protected area.

Flora

High in the alps the plant life is made up of a relatively small variety of species compared to the surrounding counties. Alpine plant diversification increases on the way to the southern portion of the peninsula.

Bedrock plays a part in plant variety. For example, on the eastern area of Lyngen where the bedrock is made up of sedimentary rocks, species are more diverse because rock weathering generates higher quality topsoil. Diversification in plant variety is also a result of small pockets of calcium carbonate formations around the peninsula. Varying forms of marshlands are also common in the flats and high mountain valleys due to the high rainfall averages alps receive.

There are two phenomena in Lyngen that create unique environments for plant life. The first is the red belt of serpentinized  (hydration and heat and pressure rock transformation) gabbro. The belt’s soil conditions make it very difficult for most plants species to survive. It is here where various forms of carnations and specialized ferns can be seen. The second area unique to Lyngen can be found where there has been recent glacial retreat. The exposed gravel and stones offer a wide variety of mosses and other unique varieties of plant life.

Stepping down to the lower lying mountains and coastline White Birch (Betula pubescens) forests and small ferns harbor a variety of plant life can vary greatly depending on location. Historically cultural impacts such as domestic livestock grazing increase with proximity to the coasts. It is not uncommon to encounter marshlands in the lowlands even though the alps receive the majority of the rainfall as you approach the sea This is largely due to the sub-oceanic climate present in the lower elevations around the coast.

Fauna

The variety of fauna in the high alpine regions of the peninsula mimics the trend set by the flora. Besides a limited species of birds like the Rock Ptarmigan or Snow Bunting mammals are more common but still relatively sparse. Mammals familiar up in the Lyngen Alps can range in size from the domestic Reindeer down to the Least weasel.

The sub-alpine and coastal lowlands are where the bulk of Lyngen’s wildlife habitat is found. There is a wide range of birds including; eight different species of owl,  passerines like the Ring Ouzel and the Northern Wheatear, sea birds like the Arctic Tern and the Parasitic Jaeger, and birds of prey like the Peregrine Falcon or the Golden Eagle. Wolverines and Lyxn have been spotted as well as multiple species of Weasel. As with most of the surrounding areas Otters are present in the costal waters. For large mammals Moose can be found over the whole peninsula and recently  Roe Deer  are becoming more common.