05.06.2025 | Case story
Wetlands provide essential ecosystem services around the Baltic Sea. The Blekinge Archipelago association in Sweden received a grant from the Baltic Sea Action Plan Fund to spearhead wetland restoration projects.
The Blekinge Archipelago was designated as a biosphere reserve by UNESCO in 2011 for its unique natural and culture value. The 510,000 hectare-area in southern Sweden is beautiful today, but it doesn’t look like how it used to be.
“For 200 years we have been draining wetlands in Sweden,” says Andreas Jezek, limnologist at the Blekinge Archipelago Association. “The area looks completely different in old maps from the 1800s. In this area we have probably drained 70-90% of the wetlands. The Baltic Sea Action Plan Fund (BSAP Fund) provided funding for me to be hired to lead the wetland restoration programme.”
Wetlands are important for the entire Baltic Sea
“A limnologist is a scientist of inland aquatic ecosystems,” explains Dennis Hamro-Drotz, Acting Head of Department at Nefco. “Wetlands are important from a biodiversity point of view and provide critical ecosystem services.”
Wetlands help produce food and drinkable water, such as by helping with pollination, grazing pastures, irrigation and groundwater formation. They help with flood prevention and erosion control. They provide cultural services, such as recreation areas for hiking, bird watching and fishing. Wetlands are hotspots for biodiversity. Animals provide more benefits such as seed dispersal and natural pest control.
“Water filtration is also important,” Hamro-Drotz points out. “Wetlands filter and retain nutrients and sediments coming from inland which would otherwise go straight into the Baltic Sea. The BSAP Fund was interested in the Blekinge project not just to reduce nutrient runoff and the ensuing eutrophication, but also to help restore and preserve the vital biodiversity of the area.”
Many restoration techniques
Previously, three new wetlands were restored on 18 hectares in the Blekinge biosphere area. With good results and ideas for improvement, the new phase of the project aims at constructing and restoring a total of 8 wetlands covering 12-25 hectares.
“The preferred method to restore wetlands is to simply put the landscape back the way it was before humans changed it,” says Jezek. “For example, maybe long ago we dug out deep channels and used that dredged soil to fill in low-lying areas. Now the water runs fast, straight into the sea. If we put that soil back, the running water is slowed, spreads out and the wetlands restore naturally.”
There are other methods which can help restore wetlands, depending upon the specific area. For example, logs and boulders could be placed in streams, helping to anchor the banks, create pools, slow the flow of water and act as a catch to retain gravel or sediment. A straight channel can be re-dug to meander across the landscape, allowing more sediment to settle. Vegetation native to the area can be planted along streams to create Riparian buffers, which intercept surface runoff, prevent erosion and provide wildlife habitats.
Partnerships and collaboration
The grant from the BSAP Fund helped pay for salaries and administration, while other partners help pay for specific restoration activities. The Blekinge Archipelago organisation works closely with other water management organisations, local authorities and landowners.
“Some of the largest farmers and landowners in the area are very encouraging to our work,” Jezek says. “If we have an idea or want to try something they are always eager to help. Some of our projects can be used as examples for other landowners to scale up and replicate elsewhere.”
The restored wetlands provide significant benefits to the Baltic Sea. Wetland biodiversity is essential for the broader marine ecosystem. Pike and perch spawn in wetlands, providing food for water birds and larger fish. Wetlands and marshy areas provide a habitat for fish and animals as well as a stopping place for migrating birds.
“I’m very grateful for the funding from the BSAP Fund. We are able to show the value of restoring wetlands to municipalities and other partners who are now interested in funding more projects. You can really feel the progress we are making.”
Andreas Jezek, limnologist at the Blekinge Archipelago Association
Text: David J. Cord
About the BSAP Fund
The Baltic Sea Action Plan Fund (BSAP Fund) was set up in 2010 to help speed up the implementation of the BSAP, adopted by the HELCOM countries in 2007, and updated in 2021 to create a healthier Baltic Sea. The key purpose of the BSAP Fund is to facilitate and speed up the preparation of projects by both public and private entities. As of the end of 2023, the BSAP Fund has funded 74 projects ranging from nutrient recycling to removing microplastics. The fund is co-managed by the Nordic Investment Bank (NIB) and Nefco with contributions from Sweden and Finland.
For more information, please visit the Baltic Sea Action Plan Fund page.
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