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Lake Mälaren Inner Archipelago - Restoration and Management

Reference: LIFE07 NAT/S/000902 | Acronym: MIA

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

BACKGROUND

The archipelago of Mälaren is one of Sweden's most valuable regions for broadleaved woodlands, with oaks and the other old trees growing in a semi-open habitat. The region has a climate that is two-to-three vegetation zones more favourable than the surrounding area. This, together with less intensive forestry and agriculture, has resulted in an area dominated by deciduous trees, in particular lime (Tilia cordata), oak (Quercus robur), ash (Fraxinus excelsior) and other broadleaved trees. Many of the species that are relics from the warmer period following the last ice age, have their main Swedish, Nordic and northernmost European distribution in the project area. The changes in management during the 20th century have caused a severe decline in habitat quality and are an overall threat to the flora and fauna in the region. This is especially the case on islands, where management is more difficult due to infrastructural and economic complications.

The restoration of habitat quality in woodlands and semi-natural habitats in the region is therefore of very high importance for biodiversity at a regional, national and international level. There is also a great need to provide more information for the high number of visitors to the area. The project aims to minimise threats to species and habitats within the project areas and also for the region as a whole, by treating species and habitats with a joint focus within the project.


OBJECTIVES

The main aim of the project is to create the right conditions for the long-term conservation of the habitat types and associated species in 42 Natura 2000 sites. Long-term management is planned to ensure an adequate supply of substrate in a landscape perspective; a strategy will be produced for the project, including guidelines for the management and monitoring of habitats and species in the Natura 2000 sites targeted by the project. The strategy aims to follow the management strategy for protected woodland that the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency (SEPA) is planning. After the end of the project it will be re-assessed regularly and adjusted to keep it coherent with the national strategy.

Expected results:

  • Appropriate conservation actions in 42 Natura 2000 sites;
  • Long-term management strategy for habitats and species targeted by the project;
  • Improved conditions for the Ortolan bunting (Emberiza hortulana); and for wetland organisms, e.g. Botaurus stellaris;
  • Improved conservation status by land purchased in accordance with the Swedish Public Procurement Act (LOU);
  • Positive effects on 29 sites covering a total of 1 334 ha (from cutting and ring barking in woodlands);
  • Positive effects on 27 sites covering a total of 623 ha (from clearing scrub on meadows and pasture habitats);
  • Positive effects on 13 sites covering a total of 156 ha of wetlands. At least 30 ha will be managed by mowing;
  • Positive effect of the survival of 20 avenue trees and of the survival and regeneration of pollards in 154 ha over seven sites;
  • Planting of 185 oak saplings in two avenues and on six sites covering a total of 93 ha that will impact on the oak population and on the beetle Osmoderma eremite;
  • Expected positive effect on the aquatic plant Alisma wahlenbergii population carried out on three Natura 2000 sites;
  • Improved conditions for management in 22 sites by the construction of a road, two animal crossings, seven ferry docking points, four corrals, six end sections of fences, 78 stiles, 48 gates/ gateways, 66 km of fences and removal of 19km of old fences;
  • Increased accessibility for visitors in 19 sites by the construction of 2.7km of hiking trails, of which 600 m will be suitable for wheelchairs, 640 m boardwalk, 24 picnic areas/benches, five dustbin/refuse stations, three toilets, one hut/shelter, two bird towers, one platform and one hide;
  • Increased interest in nature by the production of five brochures, 27 original signs and 60-270 copies, 80-160 sign racks, texts for notice boards, website, a layman's report, two sets of roll-up displays;
  • Increased knowledge of habitats and species by the creation of at least six demonstration sites in at least three Natura 2000 sites;
  • Increased interest in nature conservation by conducting 30 excursions, 10 meetings, an initial seminar and five launches;
  • Improved understanding and exchange of information through expert/final seminars, study tours and stakeholder meetings.

  • ADMINISTRATIVE DATA


    Reference: LIFE07 NAT/S/000902
    Acronym: MIA
    Start Date: 01/01/2009
    End Date: 31/12/2014
    Total Eligible Budget: 8,181,103 €
    EU Contribution: 4,025,587 €

    CONTACT DETAILS


    Coordinating Beneficiary: The County Administrative Board of Västmanland / Länsstyrelsen i Västmanlands län
    Legal Status: PAT
    Address: Västra Ringvägen 1, S-721-86, Västerås,


    LIFE Project Map

    ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES ADDRESSED

    THEMES

    • Invertebrates

    KEYWORDS

    • forest ecosystem
    • protected area
    • landslide
    • wetland
    • management plan
    • restoration measure

    TARGET EU LEGISLATION

    • Directive 92/43 - Conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora- Habitats Directive (21.05.1992)
    • Directive 79/409 - Conservation of wild birds (02.04.1979)

    TARGET HABITAT TYPES

    Code Name Type Version
    6270 Fennoscandian lowland species-rich dry to mesic grasslands ANNEX1 v.2024
    6410 Molinia meadows on calcareous, peaty or clayey-silt-laden soils (Molinion caeruleae) ANNEX1 v.2024
    6150 Siliceous alpine and boreal grasslands ANNEX1 v.2024
    6530 Fennoscandian wooded meadows ANNEX1 v.2024
    9010 Western Taïga ANNEX1 v.2024
    9070 Fennoscandian wooded pastures ANNEX1 v.2024
    9020 Fennoscandian hemiboreal natural old broad-leaved deciduous forests (Quercus, Tilia, Acer, Fraxinus or Ulmus) rich in epiphytes ANNEX1 v.2024
    9050 Fennoscandian herb-rich forests with Picea abies ANNEX1 v.2024
    9060 Coniferous forests on, or connected to, glaciofluvial eskers ANNEX1 v.2024
    9160 Sub-Atlantic and medio-European oak or oak-hornbeam forests of the Carpinion betuli ANNEX1 v.2024
    9180 Tilio-Acerion forests of slopes, screes and ravines ANNEX1 v.2024
    9190 Old acidophilous oak woods with Quercus robur on sandy plains ANNEX1 v.2024

    SPECIES

    Name Version
    Emberiza hortulana - Birds v.2024
    Alisma wahlenbergii - Flowering Plants v.2024
    Botaurus stellaris - Birds v.2024
    Osmoderma eremita - Invertebrates v.2024

    NATURA 2000 SITES

    Code Name Type Version
    Hjälstaviken SE0210077 SPA and SCI/SAC v.2021
    Röllingen SE0210081 SCI/SAC v.2021
    Veckholms prästholme SE0210083 SCI/SAC v.2021
    Hjulsta säteri SE0210165 SCI/SAC v.2021
    Kalmarnäs SE0210217 SCI/SAC v.2021
    Sandviksåsen SE0210218 SCI/SAC v.2021
    Norra Björkfjärden västra SE0210219 SCI/SAC v.2021
    Landholmarna, Landholmsängarna SE0210221 SCI/SAC v.2021
    Ekillaåsen SE0210230 SCI/SAC v.2021
    Arnö huvud SE0210234 SCI/SAC v.2021
    Grönsö SE0210252 SCI/SAC v.2021
    Biskops-Arnö SE0210266 SCI/SAC v.2021
    Bryggholmen SE0210290 SCI/SAC v.2021
    Haga ekbackar SE0210300 SCI/SAC v.2021
    Nybylund SE0210304 SCI/SAC v.2021
    Wik SE0210310 SCI/SAC v.2021
    Ridö-Sundbyholmsarkipelagen södra SE0220077 SPA and SCI/SAC v.2021
    Gorsingeholm SE0220199 SCI/SAC v.2021
    Fiholm SE0220226 SCI/SAC v.2021
    Norrby kyrkskog SE0220250 SCI/SAC v.2021
    Tynäs ekhagar SE0220320 SCI/SAC v.2021
    Askholmen SE0220343 SPA and SCI/SAC v.2021
    Tynnelsö Djurgård SE0220348 SCI/SAC v.2021
    Säbyviken-Bädarn SE0220354 SCI/SAC v.2021
    Lindön SE0220363 SPA and SCI/SAC v.2021
    Gorsingeholmskullarna SE0220443 SCI/SAC v.2021
    Strömsholm SE0250005 SPA and SCI/SAC v.2021
    Kalvholmen SE0250006 SCI/SAC v.2021
    Ridöarkipelagen SE0250008 SPA and SCI/SAC v.2021
    Ängsö SE0250009 SPA and SCI/SAC v.2021
    Askö-Tidö SE0250095 SPA and SCI/SAC v.2021
    Lindöberget öst SE0250133 SCI/SAC v.2021
    Fullerö SE0250144 SCI/SAC v.2021
    Strömsholms kungsladugård SE0250155 SCI/SAC v.2021
    Lindöberget väst SE0250158 SPA and SCI/SAC v.2021
    Sundängen SE0250161 SCI/SAC v.2021
    Stora och Lilla Ullfjärden SE0210341 SCI/SAC v.2021
    Fånö SE0210343 SCI/SAC v.2021
    Nybbleholme SE0220083 SCI/SAC v.2021
    Segersön SE0220182 SCI/SAC v.2021
    Gorsingelund SE0220515 SCI/SAC v.2021

    PARTNERSHIPS

    Name Status Type
     The County Administrative Board of Västmanland / Länsstyrelsen i Västmanlands län ACTIVE Coordinator
     The County Administrative Board of Uppsala (Länsstyrelsen i Uppsala län), Sweden ACTIVE Participant
     The County Administrative Board of Södermanland (Länsstyrelsen i Södermanlands län), Sweden ACTIVE Participant
     Sveaskog Förvaltning Aktiebolag, Sweden ACTIVE Participant
     Uppland Foundation (Upplandsstiftelsen), Sweden ACTIVE Participant

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