THE CHALLENGE OF AGRICULTURE

SUCCESS STORIES

Wetlands protection

Project: Creation of wetlands

Location: Skåne (Sweden)

Problem: In an intensely farmed area water may be contaminated by pesticides and nitrates from agriculture and biodiversity and natural ecosystems could be affected.

Objective: Improve water quality, limit the excess of fertilizers and increase biodiversity levels in an intensely farmed area covering approximately 1,500 km2.

Solution: In co-operation with ten town councils, create a network of 60 artificial wetlands and 59 km of buffer zones (uncultivated land, with grass and bushes) near the courses of the Höje and Kävlinge Rivers.

Achievements: Effective reduction of nitrogen and particles in suspension by up to 50% and of phosphorous by 45%. Increase of 32 species of native plants and the nesting of 25 bird species, 19 of them that are on Sweden's list of endangered species. Creation of a common management model based on the environmental commitment of 10 town councils.

Success stories:

• Treated water reuse models
• “Cross compliance” in agriculture
• Saving water from mobile phones
• The European Maritime Safety Agency - EMSA
• Ground water protection in sensitive areas