1. General information Location and description of the intervention City or FUA Göteborg (FUA) Region Europe Native title of the NBS intervention Restaurering av Sjöhåla strandäng Short description of the intervention 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] Website of the intervention https://www.kungalv.se/Bygga--bo--miljo/miljo-klimat/sjohala-strandang/ Principal problems Environmental Degradation Biodiversity loss Resource Scarcity and Competition Food insecurity due to disruptions in food production and distribution Implementation area characterization Climate Temperate ( Humid subtropical, Hot-summer Mediterranean, Warm-summer Mediterranean, Warm-temperate with dry winter) Ecosystem Coastal wetlands Please specify other ecosystem Wet meadow Address 44271 Kärna Sweden Location Point location, which indicates where the NBS takes place Area boundary (map-based) Total area 37000.00m² NBS area 37000.00m² Area description Cropland Type of area before implementation of the NBS Vacant or abandoned land Timeline of intervention Start date of the intervention (planning process) 2020 Start date of intervention (implementation process) 2021 End date of the intervention 2023 Present stage of the intervention Completed 2. Objectives of the intervention Objectives of the intervention Goals of the intervention - 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]. Key Priorities Biodiversity (conservation and/or restoration) Sustainability challenge(s) addressed 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 Climate change adaptation: What activities are implemented to realize the conservation goals and targets? Improved agricultural practices for improved food security and prevention of food scarcity What types of restoration goals are / were defined for the NBS intervention? Ecosystem-focused What activities are implemented to realize the restoration goals and targets? Rehabilitate and restore damaged or destroyed ecosystems Public engagement Implementation activities and NBS focus 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] Type of NBS project 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) 3. NBS domains, ES and scale NBS domain and interventions Ecological domain(s) where the NBS intervention(s) is/are implemented Blue infrastructure Coastlines Coastal wetland, mangroves and salt marshes Amenities offered by the NBS Unknown Design elements for well-being None of the above Services Expected ecosystem services delivered Provisioning services Food for human consumption (crops, vegetables) Habitat and supporting services Habitats for species Cultural services Recreation Intellectual interactions (scientific and / or educational) Scale Spatial scale Micro-scale: District/neighbourhood level Beneficiaries Demographics in implementation area The area is sparsely populated with mostly rural elements. The area is described as having good socio-economic status in the index by the Swedish National Board of Housing, Building and Planning [Ref. 4] Socio-economic profile of the area Unknown Communities vulnerable to environmental hazards or climate change impacts Unknown Non-government actors Non-governmental organisation (NGO) / Civil society / Churches Primary Beneficiaries Citizens or community groups Food producers and cultivators (i.e. farmers, gardeners) Specify primary beneficiaries Citizens or community groups: Local citizens benefit from the opening of the landscape and increased accessibility, promoting opportunities for recreation [Ref. 1-2]. Food producers and cultivators (i.e. farmers, gardeners): A local farmer gains access to land for grazing for their livestock [Ref. 1-2]. Marginalized groups Unknown Other beneficiaries Local wildlife (e.g., birds, pollinators) Natural habitats (e.g. wetland, forests, coastal areas) 4. Governance and financing Governance Governance arrangements Co-governance with government and non-government actors Please specify the roles of the specific government and non-government actor groups involved in the initiative 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]. Key actors - initiating organization Non-government organisation/civil society Key actors - Other stakeholders involved (besides initiating actors) Local government/municipality Public sector institution Non-government organisation/civil society Citizens or community group Stages of citizen and community engagement Planning and design (e.g. site selection, identification of key priorities) On-the-ground implementation Level of citizen and community engagement High Community empowerment or capacity-building initiatives Formation of community-led groups responsible for the the implementation, maintenace or monitoring of the project Participatory methods/forms of stakeholder involvement (all stakeholders) Unknown Uncommon actors ("Missing actors") Private Sector Farmers and fishery organisations or companies Land owners Other Please specify other landowner Private citizens Policy drivers NBS intervention implemented in response to a Regional Directive/Strategy Unknown NBS intervention implemented in response to a national regulations/strategy/plan Unknown NBS intervention implemented in response to a local regulation/strategy/plan Unknown Mandatory or voluntary intervention Voluntary (spontaneous) Enablers & Barriers 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) Please provide details (e.g, name of the plan or strategy) for the selected policies or initiatives. Collaboration: A similar restoration initative had been done in the area through grazing by horses, by a private citizen who was involved in this project [Ref. 2]. Funds: The local nature conservation investment by the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency, a grant available nationally [Ref. 1-2]. Governace and decison-making instruments Economic and fiscal instruments (e.g. subsidies or grants, charges or fees, payments for ecosystem services (PES)) Arrangements for governance cooperation Unknown Barriers One land-owner in the area opposed any restoration measures, and the project had to be limited to not affect their land [Ref. 2]. Financing Total cost Unknown Please specify total cost (EUR) Unknown What is/was the Cost/Budget (EUR) of the NBS or green infrastructure elements? Unknown Source(s) of funding Public national budget Type of fund(s) used Direct funding (grants, subsidies, or self-financed projects by private entities) Non-financial contribution Yes Who provided the non-financial contribution? Public authorities (e.g. land, utility services) Citizens (e.g. volunteering) Type of non-financial contribution Provision of land Provision of labour Provision of expertise Co-finance for NBS No Entrepreneurship opportunities Yes What entrepreneurship opportunities have arisen from the NBS project? Sustainable agriculture or agroforestry businesses What types of actors are leading the entrepreneurship activities linked to the NBS project? Local community groups/ citizens What types of support are provided to entrepreneurs engaged in NBS-related activities? Unknown Business models Business models Local stewardship model Which of the involved actors was motivated by this model? Public actor (e.g. municipality) Private non-for-profit actor (e.g. NGO, foundation) 5. Evaluation and learning Impacts, benefits 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 Description of environmental benefits 1. Achieved increased conservation or restoration of ecosystems: The wet meadow has been restored through clearing and grazing [Ref. 1-2] 2. Achieved increased number of species present; Achieved increased presence and recovery of wild species: The inventory carried out in 2023 shows an increased number of wild plant, bird and insect species [Ref. 1-2] 3. Achieved increased protection of threatened species: One flower species listed as threatened has been found in the area and benefits from the new management [Ref. 2]. 4. Achieved restoration of derelict areas: The area that has been restored was previously overgrown with low biodiversity [Ref. 2-3] Economic impacts Increase in agricultural production (for profit or not) Expected increase in agricultural production (for profit or not) Description of economic benefits Expected increase in agricultural production (for profit or not): The project results in an increase in grazing for livestock production [Ref. 1-3]. Social and 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 Social and cultural impact indicators Area allocated for sustainable food production (ha) 3,7 Description of social and cultural benefits 1. Achieved increased involvement of locals in the management of green spaces: The project was initiated and carried out by local associations, land owners and farmers [Ref. 1-3]. 2. Achieved increased sustainability of agriculture practices: The grazing in natural pastures, promoting biodiversity, is deemed a sustainable method of animal agriculture [Ref. 1-2]. 3. Expected gain in activities for recreation and exercise: The restoration of paths and new gates makes the area more accessible for walking and biking and may lead to an increase of recreational activities [Ref. 2]. 4. Expected increased knowledge of locals about local nature: New informative signs have been put up around the area, explaining the project and its benefits [Ref. 2]. Evidence for use of assessment Presence of an assessment, evaluation and/or monitoring process Yes Actors involved in the assessment, monitoring or evaluation of NBS impacts Non-government organisation/civil society Presence of indicators used in reporting Yes Type of indicators Outcome indicators Presence of monitoring/evaluation reports Yes Link to monitoring/evaluation reports https://omstallningkungalv.se/restaurering-av-sjohala-strandang/ Availability of a web-based monitoring tool No evidence in public records Use of GIS in mapping impacts No evidence in public records Cost-benefit analysis No Transparency Meetings with stakeholders’ representatives Inclusion of diverse stakeholders in project governance processes (e.g. planning, implementation, monitoring, etc.) Online disclosure of technical reports (e.g. project documents, reports, or data) Justice Community satisfaction Positive: The majority of feedback and reports indicate high levels of satisfaction and appreciation for the NBS project within the community. Description of locals satisfaction with the project The project managers report a strong engagement and mostly positive feedback from local residents, land-owners and stakeholders, and highlight that the project results from cooperation with and engagement of local society [Ref. 2-3]. Trade-offs & Negative impacts Unknown Emphasis of existing social inequalities or injustices No information reported related to negative social justice-related impacts of the NBS project Measures to prevent gentrification or displacement Unknown High-quality & Transformative NBS Multiple impacts delivery (climate, biodiversity, just community) No Goal setting and impacts delivery In the planning phase, the project aimed to address issues in all 3 key priority areas, but impacts were not delivered in all three key areas. Reaching original project goals Most of the project goals were achieved Long-term perspective Yes Cost-effective solutions Unknown Equitable impacts A. All stakeholders benefit fairly from the project Transformative capacity Ecological change (e.g. ecosystem functions and their distribution) Magnitude of change Reformist: by focusing on addressing underlying drivers of change but failing to address the problem structurally or systemically Application of lessons learned The NBS contributed to global and national targets for human well-being, climate and biodiversity Perception of Environmental Change Unknown 6. Sources References 1. Kungälv Municipality (2024). Restaurering av Sjöhåla strandäng. Accessed on September 17, 2024, [Source link] [Archive]; 2. Almered Olsson, G. (2024). Restaurering av Sjöhåla strandäng 2021 – 2023: Rapport från ett LONAprojekt i Kungälvs kommun. Omställning Kungälv, [Source link] [Archive]; 3. Hedlund, A. (2021). Snart betar korna på Sjöhåla strandäng igen. Kungälvs-Posten, [Source link] [Archive]; 4. Swedish National Board of Housing, Building and Planning (n.d.). Kungälv. Accessed on September 17, 2024, [Source link] [Archive]; Comments and notes Public Images Image Cows grazing by the water https://www.kungalv.se/Bygga--bo--miljo/miljo-klimat/sjohala-strandang/ Image Volunteers clearing the Sjöhåla wet meadow https://www.kungalvsposten.se/nyheter/snart-betar-korna-pa-sjohala-strandang-igen.640e12b6-de53-4542-a81b-5a963b2daf7d
Image Cows grazing by the water https://www.kungalv.se/Bygga--bo--miljo/miljo-klimat/sjohala-strandang/
Image Volunteers clearing the Sjöhåla wet meadow https://www.kungalvsposten.se/nyheter/snart-betar-korna-pa-sjohala-strandang-igen.640e12b6-de53-4542-a81b-5a963b2daf7d
