Restoring riparian vegetation in four Norwegian catchments

Riparian vegetation gives many benefits. It contributes to climate adaptation by erosion control of banks and slowing flood waters. It combats pollution by reducing runoff from land. It provides shade and shelter for aquatic organisms, and is a habitat for insects, birds and animals. Unfortunately, riparian vegetation has historically been reduced or removed in many agricultural areas. 

A pilot project to re-establish riparian vegetation was carried out 2001-2006 in the Morsa catchment, with positive results.  Together with 3 neighbouring catchments the project was then scaled up with more than 3,500 trees planted 2019-2020.  Black Alder and Birch were planted to protect the banks, and Willow was planted to promote biodiversity. The four catchments set an ambitious target of planting 15.000 trees, and this has now been exceeded reaching a total of over 20.000.

One project element is inviting municipal agricultural advisors on field walks to see the visible results of trees planted15 years ago. Direct counselling to landowners has also resulted in more interest. Grants for environmental measures in agriculture have been used to make the project cost free for landowners, enabling restoration of complete river stretches.

Project funds have been spent mainly on the purchase of trees and counselling. The project also uses a drone to take aerial overview images and document results from a bird’s eye view.  

Information about how the Norwegian catchments are organized was presented in the previous INBO Newsletter No 31 – 2024, page 13.

Morsa: carina.isdahl@valer.kommune.no
Halden: lars.selbekk@marker.kommune.no
Glomma South: maria.bislingen@rakkestad.kommune.no
Öyeren: Kristian.Moseby@nes.kommune.no