Nature conservation and biological diversity

The same fundamental values that form the basis for the formulation of Swedens environmental quality objectives are also the foundation of nature conservation policy:
- Human health
- Biodiversity and the natural environment
- The cultural environment and cultural heritage assets
- The long-term production capacity of the ecosystem
- Good natural resources management

Nature conservation must adopt a conserving and restorative approach guided by these values. Action can deal with valuable nature in the form of ecosystems, landscapes, nature types, species and genetic variation. But the task of maintaining the long-term capacity of the ecosystem is just as important. Taken together these actions should create conditions for recreation and experiences of nature in a landscape where care of the natural environment goes hand in hand with care of the cultural environment.

A cohesive nature conservation policy

Nature conservation is an important component of action for a sustainable society. Access to a rich and varied natural environment must be seen as part of our welfare. Nature conservation policy is about quality of life and about bringing nature conservation close to people.

Biodiversity

Biodiversity, or biological diversity, and interactions in different types of ecosystems are of fundamental importance for human living conditions. Forests, coasts, watercourses, ground water are all important preconditions for life and sustainable development. They must be protected from thoughtless and short-sighted exploitation.

One example of causal links is that the spawning grounds for many fish disappear when coastal landscapes and coastlines are destroyed. In addition, when forests are ravaged the water balance is also disturbed. Likewise when urban vegetation is destroyed the capacity to clean the air also decreases.

The 1992 Convention on Biological Diversity is a binding agreement on the conservation of biological diversity and the sustainable use of its components. The habitats of species must be conserved and the utilisation of biological resources must take place in a sustainable way.

The Natura 2000 Network

Natura 2000 is the EU network for the protection of environments of value to nature conservation. The Government decides which areas should be included in the network and the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency coordinates Swedish work on Natura 2000.

The county administrative boards have the important task of preparing conservation plans for every Natura 2000 area and of contacting landowners and other affected parties during the process. In Sweden almost 4 000 areas have been selected for the Natura 2000 network. Around 60 per cent of them already have protection as nature reserves or national parks.

Protection of forest land

Forestry has considerable impact on biodiversity in Sweden while, at the same time, forests are an important source of renewable raw materials. Valuable natural forest and other biotopes worthy of protection are threatened by felling and also by various kinds of air pollution. Today some 95 percent of productive forest land is used for forestry. About 3.6 per cent of productive forest land is protected as national parks, nature reserves or habitat protection areas. A large part of these protected areas are sub-alpine forest. Below the sub-alpine forest zone the proportion is only 0.8 per cent. Efforts are made in Sweden to strengthen and increase the protection of Swedish forest. At the same time, foresters bear substantial responsibility for ensuring that their operations are conducted in an environmentally correct way. The forest industry manages a renewable resource of great importance both for us and for plants and animals.

Management of land and water in planning

Efforts are made to ensure that environmental, nature conservation and resource management interests are taken into account in activities like land-based industries, physical planning and other public planning activities. National environmental quality objectives are intended to provide guidance in physical planning and development. Together with the Environmental Code planning and building legislation sets out the conditions for planning, for decisions on conservation and for the development of land and water areas.

The Ministry of the Environment handles matters concerning the establishment of additional national parks and national urban parks, the need for additional protection of rivers under Chapter 4 of the Environmental Code and the environmentally sensitive location of land-based and sea-based wind power.

The Ministry is also working on action for sustainable development in mountain and archipelago areas and on integrating environmental concerns into infrastructure planning. In addition, the Ministry also prepares government decisions on appeals concerning detailed development plans and building permission.

Wide range of actors

The objectives of nature conservation cannot be achieved though action solely by central and local government. The Swedish Environmental Protection Agency, a number of sectoral agencies and the county administrative boards and county forestry boards have a general responsibility at central and regional level. The municipalities have an extremely important role in area protection and physical planning, for example.

In addition, large and small organisations do valuable work for conservation of the natural and the cultural environment and for outdoor life. The work done by fishery management associations, voluntary cultural organisations, resident associations and other stakeholder groups is also of great importance for nature conservation, as are the contributions of landowners, users, companies and private individuals.