Nedre Dalälven River Landscape Biosphere Reserve Nomination Form 1 Working Party for the Nomination Form: Cristina Ericson, project coordinator, NeDa Kalle Hedin, Managing Director, NeDa Bengt Gyldberg, NeDa In addition, a large number of people contributed material for this nomination, primarily from the following organisations: The region’s county administrative boards, municipalities, the Swedish Forestry Agency and the Federation of Swedish Farmers. Gysinge April 2010 Cover photo: The delta where the Dalälven flows into Färnebofjärden Bay 2 CONTENTS PART 1: SUMMARY 1. PROPOSED NAME OF THE BIOSPHERE RESERVE 5 2. COUNTRY 5 3. FULFILMENT OF THE THREE FUNCTIONS OF BIOSPHERE RESERVES 3.1. “Conservation – contribute to the conservation of landscapes, ecosystems, species and genetic variation” 5 3.2. “Development – foster economic and human development which is socio-culturally and ecologically sustainable” 5 3.3. “Logistic support – support for demonstration projects, environmental education and training, research and monitoring related to local, regional, national and global issues of conservation and sustainable development” 7 4. CRITERIA FOR DESIGNATION AS A BIOSPHERE RESERVE 9 4.1. “Encompass a mosaic of ecological systems representative of major biogeographic regions, including a gradation of human intervention” 9 4.2. “Be of significance for biological diversity conservation” 10 4.3. “Provide an opportunity to explore and demonstrate approaches to sustainable development on a regional scale” 10 4.4. “Have an appropriate size to serve the three functions of biosphere reserves” 12 4.5. Through appropriate zonation 14 4.6. “Organizational arrangements should be provided for the involvement and participation of a suitable range of inter alia public authorities, local communities and private interests in the design and the carrying out of the functions of a biosphere reserve.” 17 4.7. Mechanisms for implementation 19 5. ENDORSEMENTS 22 PART II: DESCRIPTION 6. LATITUDES AND LONGITUDES OF AREA 27 7. SIZE AND SPATIAL CONFIGURATION 28 8. BIOGEOGRAPHICAL REGION 28 9. LAND USE HISTORY 29 10. HUMAN POPULATION OF PROPOSED BIOSPHERE RESERVE 35 10.1. Core Area(s) 35 10.2. Buffer Zone(s) 35 10.3. Transition Area(s) 35 10.4. Brief description of local communities living within or near the proposed Biosphere Reserve 35 10.5. Name(s) of nearest major town(s) 37 10.6. Cultural significance 37 11. PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS 48 11.1. Site characteristics and topography of area 48 11.2. Climate 51 3 11.3. Geology, geomorphology, soils 52 12. BIOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS 54 12.1 . First type of habitat/land cover: Water 55 12.2 . Second type of habitat/land cover: Wetlands 65 12.3 . Third type of habitat/land cover: Forests 67 12.4 . Fourth type of habitat/land cover: Arable land 74 12.5 . Fifth type of habitat/land cover: Built-up areas 78 13. CONSERVATION FUNCTION 80 13.1. Contribution to the conservation of landscape and ecosystem biodiversity 80 13.2. Conservation of species biodiversity 83 13.3. Conservation of genetic biodiversity 85 14. DEVELOPMENT FUNCTION 87 14.1. Potential for fostering economic and human development which is socio-culturally and ecologically sustainable 87 14.2. If tourism is a major activity 90 14.3. Benefits of economic activities to local people 94 15. LOGISTIC SUPPORT FUNCTION 94 15.1. Research and monitoring 94 15.2. Environmental education and public awareness 104 15.3. Specialist training 107 15.4. Potential to contribute to the World Network of Biosphere Reserves 108 16. USES AND ACTIVITIES 110 16.1. Core area(s) 110 16.2. Buffer zone(s) 110 16.3. Transition area 111 17. INSTITUTIONAL ASPECTS 112 17.1. State, province, region or other administrative units 112 17.2. Units of the proposed biosphere reserve 112 17.3. Protection Regime of the core area(s) and, if appropriate, of the buffer zone(s) 112 17.4. Land use regulations or agreements applicable to the transition area (if appropriate) 129 17.5. Land tenure of each zone 131 17.6. Management plan or policy and mechanisms for implementation 132 17.7. Financial source(s) and yearly budget 136 17.8. Authority in charge of administration 137 17.9. Local organizational arrangements 138 18. SPECIAL DESIGNATIONS 139 19. SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS 140 20. ADDRESSES 143 LITERATURE ANNEX 4 PART 1: SUMMARY 1. PROPOSED NAME OF THE BIOSPHERE RESERVE: [It is advisable to use a locally accepted geographic, descriptive or symbolic name which allows people to identify themselves with the site concerned (e.g. Rio Platano Biosphere Reserve, Bookmark Biosphere Reserve). Except in unusual circumstances, Biosphere Reserves should not be named after existing national parks or similar administrative areas] Nedre Dalälven River Landscape 2. COUNTRY: Sweden 3. FULFILMENT OF THE THREE FUNCTIONS OF BIOSPHERE RESERVES: (Article 3 of the Statutory Framework presents the three functions of conservation, development and logistic support. Explain in general terms how the area fulfils these functions.) 3.1. “Conservation – contribute to the conservation of landscapes, ecosystems, species and genetic variation” (Stress the importance of the site for conservation at the regional or global scales) The Nedre Dalälven region is unique because of the significant natural and cultural values created by the river, and because the river forms a clear border zone between the northern and southern flora and fauna of Northern Europe. The entire proposed biosphere reserve is over 308,800 hectares and stretches some 170 km along the lower reaches of the River Dalälven, from inland out to the sea. The region boasts Scandinavia’s widest range of vertebrates (mammals, birds and fish) and invertebrates at this latitude. The region is home to 487 species on the national red list. The majority of the lands along the river are designated as nature reserves or Natura 2000 sites. Certain areas are included in the international Ramsar Convention on Wetlands, and a key part of the core area is the Färnebofjärden National Park. The entire area contains some 30 nature reserves. Large areas surrounding the Nedre Dalälven are of national interest due to their collective natural and cultural values. This is one of 24 areas in the country in which special regulations apply and the interests of active outdoor recreation and tourism are to be given special consideration under section 3.6 of the Swedish Environmental Code (1998:808). 3.2. “Development – foster economic and human development which is socio-culturally and ecologically sustainable”. (Indicate the potential of the proposed biosphere reserve in fulfilling this objective). The four county administrative boards have developed regional environmental quality goals. The nine municipalities have local environmental goals all aiming to promote sustainable community development. A biosphere reserve here could have a coordinating function for the region, serving as an example to demonstrate the benefits of collaboration between county administrative 5 boards, municipalities, universities and other players regarding sustainable community development. In past decades, the Nedre Dalälven region has experienced gradual depopulation, as the basic industries of agriculture and forestry have evolved, and as a result of structural changes in the steel and iron industries. However, recent years have seen a growing interest in moving to the region. The county administrative boards aim to facilitate regional/local development of the area’s industries. The landscape values and location of the region promote tourism companies and entrepreneurs. For many years the region has pursued sustainable development efforts, including several development projects. For example, 133 Leader+ projects have been carried out. The total resources invested in these projects amounted to at least SEK 130 million. Most of the projects had sustainable development as a clear and important aspect, as the summary below indicates. According to information provided by the project groups, the projects have contributed to: - the creation of over 200 new jobs - the preservation of over 200 jobs - the creation of over 500 new networks In an earlier assessment, 90 project teams were surveyed about the effects of their projects as of February 2006. Of these 90 projects, 77% reported improved business acumen, 94% reported an improved climate for collaboration, 93% reported greater faith in the future, 85% reported improvements in entrepreneurship and 87% reported improved skills. 6 Table 1 Examples of projects completed Cul Nat Tou Sustaina tur ure rism ble e develop ment Crafts assessment in Nora parish x From the 18th century to the Internet x Nature’s music x x Crafts across county borders x Artisans in the deanery’s wing x x Local costumes of Gästrikland x Folk music festival along the Nedre x x x Dalälven Fishing network project Leader+ Nedre x x x Dalälven Marma Future x x x x Tourism network x x x x The Pråmleden Trail x x x x Ecological/resource-conserving x x construction and housing in Stjärnsund Excavation of the Brunn silver mine x Future in the Vik region x x x x Miniplantan, a boost for forestry and local x x entrepreneurs 3.3. “Logistic support – support for demonstration projects, environmental education and training, research and monitoring related to local, regional, national and global issues of conservation and sustainable development”. (Indicate current or planned facilities). Research, environmental monitoring and education Research has long been conducted in the area, in a range of fields. Offering education measures with regional ties and attracting even more research to the area creates opportunities for a long- term well-functioning community that can make use of the unique resources of the area. Research and environmental monitoring must be coordinated if projects are to be further developed and realised. This coordination has begun through the efforts of a team of researchers and educators participating in the biosphere reserve nomination project and meeting in the Green House of Knowledge (see below). 7 Gröna Kunskapshuset (the Green House of Knowledge) The Green House of Knowledge is a resource centre for knowledge about sustainable land use.