Connecting people and rivers for sustainable free flowing rivers

The LIFE CONNECTS project takes actions to improve ecosystem functions and ecosystem services in seven southern Swedish rivers to benefit humans, biodiversity and sustainable water use. It achieves this by improving connectivity through the removal of barriers, the creation of fish passages, and the restoration of degraded river habitats.

Most rivers in Sweden and Europe have been altered by humans for a long time by straightening, ditching and damming. Rivers are often altered, blocking migration routes for species such as salmon (Salmo salar) and sea trout (Salmo trutta), meaning that they cannot reach their spawning and rearing areas in the upper parts of the river catchments. Most rivers in Sweden have moderate ecological status (a classification according to the Water Framework Directive, which directs states to improve their surface water bodies to achieve 'good' or better ecological and chemical status), thanks to human activities such as agriculture, hydropower and historical timber floating. 

Improvements in connectivity and habitats 

In seven rivers, ecosystem functions will be improved by creating free migration, passage possibilities and by adding stones, gravel and dead wood, in order to create a more varied river bed structure. This will improve migration opportunities for fish and habitats for fish and mussels, which in turn contribute to better water quality and more natural free flowing rivers, which are major goals set out in the EU Biodiversity Strategy 2030.

Improvements for threatened mussels

The threatened freshwater pearl mussel (Margaritifera margaritefera) and thick-shelled river mussel (Unio crassus) have complex life cycles, with a parasitic stage on fish as larvae. The freshwater pearl mussel is dependent on salmon and trout as host fish, while the thick-shelled river mussel is dependent on several other fish species. To improve the mussel populations, host fish have been infested by larvae and then released back to the rivers from where they came.

Involving stakeholders for socio-economic benefits and successful restorations

“Long-term engagement by partners and a robust organization are also keys for a successful project” says Karin Olsson, project manager of LIFE CONNECTS. 

To make this restoration project a success, it was very important to involve stakeholders in the planning phase. Signing agreements and permits will be pivotal in implementing restoration measures in the long-term. 

One way to show the benefits of restoration measures for stakeholders is to calculate the socio-economic values on a local scale. Some of these benefits include increased nature- and angling tourism, as well as other recreational enjoyment for locals in cleaner, nature-friendly rivers. 

The project started in 2019. With a budget of 9 million euro, LIFE CONNECTS will open up around 600 kilometers of river and improve around 100 hectares of river habitats, providing a boost for the conservation status of habitats and species living there. This project already demonstrates how river restoration can bring back sustainable ecosystems that can supply ecosystem services for nature and people.

#WaterWiseEU campaign 

This story has been submitted by a partner of the #WaterWiseEU campaign. The EU-wide campaign focuses on water resilience, aiming to change the way we see, use and value water. Find out more about the campaign and how you can get involved.