Case study

Kvorning re-wetting

A flat grassland landscape with some woodland on higher ground in the distance.

Area characterisation:

The project area is situated in a rural area, characterised by agriculture and nearby villages

Objective:

Climate gas emission will be reduced and carbon sequestration will be stimulated by rewetting this area along the Nørreåen stream in Denmark. This restoration will preserve valuable Natura2000 habitats and endangered plant species, while at the same time making land consolidation efforts to support landowners.

This case study is one of 17 that are part of the EU Horizon2020 project MERLIN.

Start/end date:
-

Potential impacts/benefits:

  • Reduced climate gas emission, increased carbon sequestration
  • Make grazing of natural areas profitable

Actions:

  • an area of around 500 hectars is re-wetted
  • biomass is harvested in order to reduce soil nutrient contents
  • A passage for cattle will be established to support grazing of the restored area after implementation
  • land consolidation: facilitating and supporting landowners in e.g. finding more suitable arable land to compensate for the lowlands being re-wetted and various multi-functional considerations such as recreational purposes, drinking water supply etc.

Organisations:

Aarhus University, Naturstyrelsen/The Danish Nature Agency

Sustainable Development Goals:

  • 6. Clean water and sanitation

  • 12. Responsible consumption and production

  • 13. Climate action

  • 15. Life on land

NBS goals:

  • Restoring ecosystems and their functions
  • Developing climate change mitigation
  • Increasing carbon sequestration through nature-based solutions

NBS benefits:

  • Developing climate change adaptation; improving risk management and resilience
  • Flood peak reduction
  • Carbon sequestration and storage
  • Restoring ecosystems and their functions
  • Increase achievements of biodiversity targets
Further information: