The Life Project GRACE (Grazing and Restoration of Archipelago and Coastal Environments) has restored overgrown semi-natural habitats in the Swedish Archipelago. The project sites were spread out over the whole project area and the actions have resulted in restoration of 988 hectare which has resulted in 804 hectare of Natura 2000 habitats. The projects target was to recreate 13 habitats, 4 species listed in the Habitats directive and 10 species listed in the Birds Directive. Several other species listed in the Habitats Directive or the National Red List are present within the project area, but are not the primary targets for the project.
Project aim
The main aim of the GRACE project is to reach the conditions for a long-term favorable conservation status for semi-natural habitat types and their species.
Many of the islands are of great importance for recreation and clearance of overgrown areas has resulted in increased accessibility for visitors.
Background
The Swedish archipelago has high nature conservation values, but due to the difficulties in access, are those areas which are abandoned first when farming is no longer profitable. Many of these areas was heavily overgrown, which represented a significant threat for all the light demanding rare species associated with these habitats. The islands have very high nature conservation, recreation and heritage values and most of them have many visitors during the summer. After the restorations in the GRACE-projekt this areas now have the opportunity to develop a rich biological diversity.
Facts in short
- Project code : EU LIFE09 NAT/SE/000345 GRACE
- Project period: 11 November 2010 – 31 December 2016
- Natura 2000-sites: 23 sites, including a total of 41 islands and one peninsula
- Budget: 8,5 million Euro.
- Partners: The County administrative Board of Västra Götalands län, Halland, Blekinge, Stockholm and The Archipelago Foundation (Skärgårdsstiftelsen)
- Co-financers: The Life-+ – fond and The Swedish Environment Protection Agency
- Actions: Restoration of semi-natural pastures and meadows
- Natura 2000 habitats: 1330, 1630, 4020, 4030, 5130, 6110, 6210, 6230, 6270, 6410, 6530, 8230, 9010 and 9070
Main activities
Clearing of trees and bushes 988 hectares
Thinnin of wooded pastures 312 hectares (included in clearing)
Burning of heaths 41 locations in 9 sites
Fencing 12 790 meters
Restoration grazing 930 hectares
Small scale infrastructure 11 sites
Information: website, leaflets, excursions, seminars, app etc
All project sites and islands of the project
Nr | Natura 2000 area | Islands and peninsulas | Natura 2000 code |
1 | Härmanö | Härmanö | SE0520020 |
2 | Sälöfjorden, | 2.1 Rörö and 2.2 Klåverön | SE0520036 |
3 | Härön | Härön | SE0520038 |
4 | Nordre Älvs Estuarium | Hästholmarna | SE0520043 |
5 | Koster | 5.1 Saltholmen 5.2 and Långegärdeholmen | SE0520133 |
6 | Tanumskusten | 6.1 Otterön and 6.2 Hällsö | SE0520150 |
7 | Kosterfjorden-Väderöfjorden | 7.1 Filjholmen, 7.2 Stora Tjälleskär, 7.3 Ramsholmen and 7.4 Ramsökalven | SE0520170 |
8 | Tjurpannan | Tjurpannan | SE0520187 |
9 | Balgö | Balgö | SE0510050 |
10 | Kungsbackafjorden | 10.1 Öckerö, 10.2 Mönster, 10.3 Kalvö, 10.4 Brokö and 10.5 Vindö | SE0510058 |
11 | Vendelsö | 11.1 Vendelsö, 11.2 Brattö, 11.3 Norstön and 11.4 Kidholmen | SE0510091 |
12 | Tromtö-Almö | 12.1 Arpö, 12:2, Vagnö, 12:3 Ljungskär and 12:4 Utö | SE0410042 |
13 | Kristianopels skärgård | Långeskär | SE0410053 |
14 | Sonekulla | Kalvö | SE0410089 |
15 | Järkö | Järkö | SE0410098 |
16 | Hästholmen-Öppenskär | 16.1 Torhamnaskär, 16.2 Öppenskär and 16.3 Äspeskär | SE0410099 |
17 | Tärnö-Harö-Brorsö | Brorsö | SE0410163 |
18 | Stora Hammar-Varö-Lillö | Björnön-Dragsö | SE0410181 |
19 | Utlängan | Utlängan | SE0410214 |
20 | Arholma-Idö | Arholma och Idö | SE0110385 |
21 | Tullgarn, ost | Fridö | SE0110003 |
22 | Villinge Boskapsö | Villinge-Boskapsö | SE0110087 |
23 | Rånö Ängsholme | Rånö Ängsholme | SE0110118 |