Last updated: March 2025
In Sjöhåla, west of Kungälv, an abandoned pasture on a wet meadow by the coast was restored by reintroducing grazing, clearing bushes and reeds, digging ponds and renovating stone walls. The aim was to increase biodiversity in the area and to promote the production of local organic meat. Additionally, the project made it easier for visitors to pass through the area for recreational purposes. The project was carried out by the municipality of Kungälv and the non-profit organisation Omställning Kungälv, and involved other local associations, farmers and citizens. It was funded through the "Local nature conservation investment" by the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency. As a result of the project, the area is more accessible, and many species of plants, insects, and birds have been found. [Ref. 1-3]
Cows grazing by the water
https://www.kungalv.se/Bygga--bo--miljo/miljo-klimat/sjohala-strandang/
Overview
Nature-based solution
- Blue infrastructure
- Coastlines
- Coastal wetland, mangroves and salt marshes
Key challenges
- Climate action for adaptation, resilience and mitigation (SDG 13)
- Climate change adaptation
- Green space, habitats and biodiversity (SDG 15)
- Habitat and biodiversity restoration
- Health and well-being (SDG 3)
- Creation of opportunities for recreation
- Economic development and employment (SDG 8)
- Economic development: agriculture
Principal problems in Functional Urban Area (FUA)
- Environmental Degradation
- Biodiversity loss
- Resource Scarcity and Competition
- Food insecurity due to disruptions in food production and distribution
Key priorities
Biodiversity (conservation and/or restoration)
Focus
Coastal landscape management or protection, Coastal ecosystems restoration and maintenance (mangroves, dunes, saltplains, underwater meadows), Ecological restoration of ecosystems, Ecological restoration of existing green spaces, Restoration of wetlands (other types than peatlands and mangroves, e.g. seagrass)
Project objectives
- Promote biodiversity by clearing and reintroducing grazing to an overgrown wet meadow.
- Promote local food production by providing opportunities for livestock grazing [Ref. 1-3].
- Increase accessibility to the area for visitors and locals [Ref. 1-2].
Implementation activities
1. The initiative to restore the area was taken by the local NGO Omställning Kungälv, which contacted local landowners and farmers to engage them in the project.
2. Omställning Kungälv cooperated with Kungälv Municipality to apply for funding from the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency.
3. The restoration was carried out by volunteers and included clearing unwanted bushes and trees, controlled burning of reeds, restoring old stone walls and putting up fences for livestock [Ref. 2].
4. Livestock was reintroduced to graze in the area [Ref. 1-3].
5. Paths were cleared, and new gates and informative signs were put up to enable and encourage visitation [Ref. 2]
6. An inventory of plants and animals was carried out in 2021 and 2023 to evaluate the changes to the landscape and present species, and the effects on biodiversity [Ref. 2]
Climate-focused activities
Climate change adaptation:
- Improved agricultural practices for improved food security and prevention of food scarcity
Biodiversity conservation or restoration-focused activities
Biodiversity restoration:
- Rehabilitate and restore damaged or destroyed ecosystems
- Public engagement
Main beneficiaries
- Citizens or community groups
- Food producers and cultivators (i.e. farmers, gardeners)
Governance
Management set-up
- Co-governance with government and non-government actors
Type of initiating organisation
- Non-government organisation/civil society
Participatory approaches/ community involvement
- Unknown
Details on the roles of the organisations involved in the project
The project was initiated and planned by local NGO Omställning Kungälv, in cooperation with Kungälv Municipality. In the planning, implementation and evaluation phases, the project also involved other NGOs such as the Swedish Society for Nature Conservation Kungälv and a local ornithology association, as well as stakeholders in the form of land-owners, a farmer and local residents. The Swedish Environmental Protection Agency was involved through funding from their local nature conservation investment program (LONA) [Ref. 1-2].
Project implemented in response to ...
... an EU policy or strategy?
Unknown
... a national policy or strategy?
Unknown
... a local policy or strategy?
Unknown
Type of enablers
NGOs/Community groups driving the implementation, Collaboration with other projects that implemented NBS, Funds, subsidies or investment for GI/NBS in the city (available for the city or provided by the city)
Financing
Total cost
Unknown
Source(s) of funding
- Public national budget
Type of funding
- Direct funding (grants, subsidies, or self-financed projects by private entities)
Non-financial contribution
Type of non-financial contribution
- Provision of land
- Provision of labour
- Provision of expertise
Who provided the non-financial contribution?
- Public authorities (e.g. land, utility services)
- Citizens (e.g. volunteering)
Impacts and Monitoring
Environmental impacts
- Green space and habitat
- Increased conservation or restoration of ecosystems
- Achieved increased conservation or restoration of ecosystems
- Increased number of species present
- Achieved increased number of species present
- Increased presence and recovery of wild species
- Achieved increased presence and recovery of wild species
- Increased protection of threatened species
- Achieved increased protection of threatened species
- Restoration of derelict areas
- Achieved restoration of derelict areas
Economic impacts
- Increase in agricultural production (for profit or not)
- Expected increase in agricultural production (for profit or not)
Socio-cultural impacts
- Social justice and cohesion
- Increased involvement of locals in the management of green spaces
- Achieved increased involvement of locals in the management of green spaces
- Increased sustainability of agriculture practices
- Achieved increased sustainability of agriculture practices
- Health and wellbeing
- Gain in activities for recreation and exercise
- Expected gain in activities for recreation and exercise
- Education
- Increased knowledge of locals about local nature
- Expected increased knowledge of locals about local nature
Type of reported impacts
Presence of formal monitoring system
Yes
Presence of indicators used in reporting
Yes
Presence of monitoring/ evaluation reports
Yes
Availability of a web-based monitoring tool
No evidence in public records
Potential risks of implementation and trade-offs
Unknown
References
1.
Kungälv Municipality (2024). Restaurering av Sjöhåla strandäng. Accessed on September 17, 2024, [Source link];
2.
Almered Olsson, G. (2024). Restaurering av Sjöhåla strandäng 2021 – 2023: Rapport från ett LONAprojekt i Kungälvs kommun. Omställning Kungälv, [Source link];
3.
Hedlund, A. (2021). Snart betar korna på Sjöhåla strandäng igen. Kungälvs-Posten, [Source link];
4.
Swedish National Board of Housing, Building and Planning (n.d.). Kungälv. Accessed on September 17, 2024, [Source link];
Volunteers clearing the Sjöhåla wet meadow
https://www.kungalvsposten.se/nyheter/snart-betar-korna-pa-sjohala-strandang-igen.640e12b6-de53-4542-a81b-5a963b2daf7d
Information about this nature-based solution was collected as part of the Naturescapes project funded by the European Union under Grant Agreement No 101084341.