VINDELÄLVEN-JUHTATDAHKA Biosphere Reserve Application 1 Image 1 Photo: Grahame Soden Application documents and contact details are on the homepage: www.vindelalvenjuhtatdahka.se Editor Johanna Gardeström (coordinator) Authors Johanna Gardeström (coordinator), Gunnel Grelsson (County Administrative Board, Västerbotten), Jon Andersson (County Administrative Board, Västerbotten), Gudrun Norstedt (Skogsfrun Natur och Kultur), Johan Svensson (Sveriges lantbruksuniversitet - the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences), Christer Nilsson (Umeå University), Örjan Holmberg (Vormsele), Bo Sundin (County Administrative Board, Västerbotten), Stig Westbergh (Vindeln Municipality). Participants at the writing workshop 23-25 May 2016 (who are not named above): Annika Myrén (Umeå Municipality), Hanna Johansson Jänkänpää (Vindeln Municipality), Anna Sténs (Umeå University), Lena Friborg (Region Västerbotten), Malin Ackermann (Lycksele Municipality). Layout Cecilia Wallinder Maps and analyzes Carlos Paz von Friesen, County Administrative Board, Västerbotten (maps, species and habitat data), Neil Cory, Henrik Hedenås and Sven Adler, the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (ecosystem service analyses), Nadja Jernelius and Anna Norin, Region Västerbotten (population and business data) Photos on front page: Left Right Umeå Kommun Ola Jennersten Forsknäckarna Urban Berglund Ola Jennersten Fredrik Larsson 2 UNESCO:s introduction Biosphere reserves are areas of terrestrial and coastal/marine ecosystems, or a combination thereof, which are internationally recognized within the framework of UNESCO’s Programme on Man and the Biosphere (MAB) They are established to promote and demonstrate a balanced relationship between humans and the biosphere. Biosphere reserves are designated by the International Coordinating Council of the MAB Programme at the request of the State concerned. Individual biosphere reserves remain under the sovereign jurisdiction of the State where they are situated. Collectively, all biosphere reserves form a World Network in which participation by States is voluntary. The World Network is governed by the Statutory Framework adopted by the UNESCO General Conference in 1995 which presents the definition, objectives, criteria and the designation procedure for biosphere reserves. The actions recommended for the implementation of biosphere reserves are set out in the ”Seville Strategy” and were further developed in the Madrid Action Plan (2008-2013). These documents should be used as basic references for the completion of this nomination form. The information presented on this nomination form will be used in a number of ways by UNESCO: (a) for examination of the site by the International Advisory Committee for Biosphere Reserves and by the Bureau of the MAB International Coordinating Council; (b) for use in a world-wide accessible information system, notably the UNESCO-MABnet and publications, facilitating communications and interaction amongst persons interested in biosphere reserves throughout the world. The nomination form consists of three parts: Part one is a summary indicating how the nominated area responds to the functions and criteria for biosphere reserves set out in the Statutory Framework, and presents the signatures of endorsements for the nomination from the authorities concerned. Part two is more descriptive and detailed, referring to the human, physical and biological characteristics as well as to the institutional aspects. Part three consists of two annexes: the first annex will be used to update the Directory of Biosphere Reserves on the MABnet, once the site has been approved as a biosphere reserve. The second annex will be used to provide promotional and communication materials of the biosphere reserve. Tables, illustrations and maps as appropriate throughout the nomination form are welcomed. The form should be completed in English, French or Spanish. Two copies should be sent to the Secretariat, as follows: 1. The original hard copy, with the original signatures, letters of endorsement, zonation map and supporting documents. This should be sent to the Secretariat through the Official UNESCO channels, i.e. via the National Commission for UNESCO and/or the Permanent Delegation to UNESCO; 2. An electronic version (on diskette, CD, etc.) of the nomination forms and of maps (especially the zonation map). This can be sent directly to the MAB Secretariat: UNESCO Division of Ecological and Earth Sciences 1, rue Miollis F-75352 Paris Cedex 15, France Tel: +33 (0)1 45 68 41 51 Fax: +33 (0)1 45 68 58 04 Email: [email protected] http://www.unesco.org/mab 3 TABLE OF CONTENTS UNESCO:s introduction.......................................................................................................................................3 1. PROPOSED NAME OF THE BIOSPHERE RESERVE.......................................................................................7 2. NAME OF THE COUNTRY...............................................................................................................................7 3. FULFILMENT OF THE THREE FUNCTIONS OF BIOSPHERE RESERVES ......................................................7 4. CRITERIA FOR DESIGNATION AS A BIOSPHERE RESERVE........................................................................18 5. ENDORSEMENTS .........................................................................................................................................29 6. LOCATION (COORDINATES AND MAP(S))..................................................................................................35 7. AREA .............................................................................................................................................................35 8. BIOGEOGRAPHICAL REGION.......................................................................................................................39 9. LAND USE......................................................................................................................................................39 10. HUMAN POPULATION OF PROPOSED BIOSPHERE RESERVE .................................................................50 11. BIOPHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS................................................................................................................67 12. ECOSYSTEM SERVICES..................................................................................................................................82 13. MAIN OBJECTIVES FOR THE BIOSPHERE RESERVE’S DESIGNATION........................................................92 14. CONSERVATION FUNCTION.......................................................................................................................100 15. DEVELOPMENT FUNCTION........................................................................................................................118 16. LOGISTIC SUPPORT FUNCTION.................................................................................................................159 17. GOVERNANCE, BIOSPHERE RESERVE MANAGEMENT AND COORDINATION......................................166 18. SPECIAL DESIGNATIONS.............................................................................................................................172 19. SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS........................................................................................................................186 20. ADDRESSES...................................................................................................................................................188 4 PART I SUMMARY 5 Juhtát movement The River Vindelälven is one of Europe’s last major free-flowing watercourses. When plans were drawn up in the 1960s for the construction of a series of hydroelectric power plants on the river, major opposition to the scheme was expressed locally, regionally and nationally – and in 1970 the Swedish government decided that the River Vindelälven should remain free-flowing. The involvement of people in opposing the scheme grew into a movement in the area, which continued even after the plans for the expansion of power generation had been abandoned. The work to incorporate the area into UNESCO’s World Network of Biosphere Reserves had its roots in this very involvement and in a broad, deep-seated desire to bring together the region and the people, from the mountains to the coast, to enable a long-term positive and sustainable development of the area. The River Vindelälven as a migration route – Juhtatdahka The River Vindelälven and its adjoining lands present a route for people, plants and animals, in both directions between the mountains and the sea. The long journey with reindeer which mountain Sami communities make along the River Vindelälven between coast and mountain is unique and one of the longest livestock migrations known today. “Juhtatdahka” means migration route in the Ume Sami language. Many other animals make similar, but shorter seasonal migrations. The area’s trapping pits present a clear overall picture of where cloven-hoofed game has travelled, and research into elk (Alces alces) shows that cervids still have the same pattern of migration today. Many migratory birds stop over on the banks of the River Vindelälven on their way to or from the mountain region. The river itself is both the birthplace and the lifeblood of salmon and brown trout. They are born and grow up there, migrate as smolt to the Baltic Sea to mature, and then return to the place where they