The Bergslagen region in Sweden has a very long history of industrial use of minerals, forests and water. Streams and rivers in the Bergslagen region have more dams and hydropower plants than other regions in Sweden, and the history of forest management for industrial wood is long. This has impacted streams and riparian forests and reduced the quality of brown trout habitat. Brown trout is a regionally important species for both sport fishing and rural development. It is also the key host for larvae of the endangered fresh water pearl mussel and conservation of the trout is critical to the survival of the mussel.
A combination of field validation, electrofishing and geographical information system (GIS) applications were used to identify the minimum length (270m) of stream sections required to host self-reproducing brown trout populations. Monitoring demonstrated that the stream restoration activities, including increasing the flow of water and adding gravel for brown trout spawning, increased brown trout recruitment rapidly.
Production of evidence-based knowledge, demonstration of restoration management and collaborative stakeholder learning has improved the understanding of the need for spatial planning of brown trout habitat restoration activities. This approach to identification of functional habitat size and quality is applicable to entire river catchments and can be applied to other focal species and their habitats.
For more information:
- Contact per.angelstam@slu.se, johan.tornblom@slu.se, erik.degerman@slu.se
- Sustaibable Bergslagen Model Forest: http://www.bergslagen.org/en
- Demonstration sites for learning about river restoration and catchment rehabilitation in Bergslagen (English)
