Norwegian marshes to slow global warming – NRK

Environment Directorate has submitted a list of 23 marshlands that may be suitable for a pilot project whose purpose is carbon capture as mitigation. The marshes located in protected areas from Østfold and Ryfylke in the south to Lofoten in the north.

Protected Areas

The proposal by Environment Directorate response to a commission from the Ministry of the Environment (KLD).

The restoration of the marshes is mostly done by filling in ditches and removing scrub.

In the proposal from the Environment Agency is the restoration of six marshlands described as “very important” and given first priority. This applies Aurstad Måsan in Nes municipality in Akershus Lindas Myra Eidskog and Kynndalsmyrene in Åsnes Hedmark, Saetre marshes Hornindal in Sogn og Fjordane, Cold Vassmyr in Verdal in North Trøndelag and Gimsøy marshes in Vågan municipality in Nordland. All located in protected areas.

In addition, the Directorate has listed 17 marshlands, which has been designated “important” and priority 2. These marshes located in protected areas in the municipalities Halden and Mark Østfold, Bold, Nes and Aurskog-Holand in Akershus, Vestre Toten in Oppland, Ringerike, Buskerud, Hjelmeland in Rogaland, Trondheim in Sør-Trøndelag and Steinkjer, Snåsa and Namdalseid in Nord-Trondelag.

Restrict climate change

Environment Agency points out that the area of ​​marsh and wetlands in Norway now is approximately 19,000 square kilometers, according to a government study from 2013. In the 1930s was approximately 30,000 square kilometers area. The reduction is due trenching and cultivation, reforestation and reduction of marshes for housing, industry and roads.

Since it globally has been a dramatic decrease in wetland areas, wetland restoration considered critically needed to rebuild areas taking up CO2 writes Environment Directorate note to KLD. Directorate adds that restored marshes do not give as much carbon capture as intact marshlands. But already the first years after the water level is increased, it is measured significantly carbon capture in restored marshes used to peat extraction.

Published 31.01.2015, at. 14.29