In southernmost Sweden, there are several areas that are at risk of being severely affected by flooding and future sea level rise. When the municipality of Vellinge builds protective walls to protect the buildings on Falsterbonäset, Ecogain is involved in the work to strengthen both the protection and the local natural environment.
The project has been run in collaboration between Vellinge Municipality, Lund University, the Swedish Geotechnical Institute (SGI) and Ecogain, with funding from Vinnova.
Rather than constructing embankments with a surface layer of asphalt or short-cut grass, we created a solution that contributes to a durable embankment that also supports the local biodiversity of the area. Before construction began, we built a prototype embankment. The aim was to investigate different ways of establishing vegetation on the embankment to provide the best strength and best benefit local biodiversity.
Vegetation that blends in and promotes biodiversity
Ecogain's role in the project has been to inventory and analyze the vegetation development on the prototype embankment. We have tested different types of vegetation and soil materials on different test areas on the embankment. We have then followed up the test areas and compared with how the vegetation looked on the site before the embankment was put in place, as well as with reference areas in nearby pastures.
The aim has been to recreate vegetation that blends in with its surroundings and benefits the local ecosystem. The results of the project show that reusing the vegetation and soil layer removed before the embankment is built is most beneficial, at least in the short term.
Information leaflet on nature-based protective barriers
As part of the project, Ecogain has also produced a brochure describing the benefits of nature-based barriers and the results of the prototype barrier project.
Ecogain will continue to be involved in the development of the levees in Vellinge. In an EU-funded project called LIFECAPEable, we follow up on how biodiversity develops on the real embankments that began to be built in the spring of 2024.
