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

Översikt över de fyra länen

 

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