Using functional water & wetland ecosystems and their services as a model for improving green infrastructure and implementing PAF in Sweden

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

BACKGROUND

The Swedish Environmental Protection Agency (SEPA) has produced the Prioritised Action Framework (PAF) for Natura 2000 in Sweden. According to the PAF, action is needed for almost all types of habitats listed in the Habitats Directive. There are several reasons for choosing watercourses and wetlands as a model for capacity building and a starting point for the improved implementation of the PAF. Firstly, they have a high nature conservation value, as freshwater biotopes cover around a quarter of Sweden’s total land area, yet 3 million ha of wetlands have been lost through drainage since the 1800s. Secondly, watercourses and wetlands provide ecosystem services, such as carbon storage, improved water quality, recreation, flood control and climate change adaptation, but these are not working to their full potential due to human impacts. Finally, the condition of watercourses and wetlands is impacted by activities at local, regional, national and global levels, so these habitats provide an excellent basis for developing cooperation and building capacity between different stakeholders, such as government agencies, landowners and contractors.

OBJECTIVES

The long-term aim of the GRIP on LIFE IP project is to help fully implement the Prioritised Action Framework (PAF) for Natura 2000 in Sweden. This will be done by:

Disseminating and gaining a wide acceptance for the Swedish PAF as a tool to achieve the goals of the Habitats and the Birds directives;

Improving the conservation status of watercourse and wetlands habitats and their characteristic species, and thus the ecosystem services they provide, in selected sites within the Boreal and Continental biogeographical regions;

Increasing available funding by improving the coordination of existing funds to improve the conservation status of habitats and species in the Natura 2000 network;

Raising awareness of the PAF and building capacity amongst relevant organisations and stakeholders; and

Enhancing sustainable use of watercourses and wetlands to help improve their conservation status.

Expected results: The project will implement the Prioritised Action Framework (PAF) for Natura 2000 in Sweden with the following results:

Improved conservation status of watercourse and wetlands habitats;

The building of knowledge and capacity;

Improved cooperation; and

The implementation of new knowledge.

 

Expected results from complementary actions include increased knowledge and a wide implementation of the PAF in Sweden, better know-how and capacity concerning conservation and management measures within and adjacent to Natura 2000 network sites, and increased conservation status for Natura 2000 network habitats and species.

In addition to the IP budget itself the project will facilitate the coordinated use of €51 431 792 complementary funding from EAFRD, ERDF, national and private fund, as applicable.