Constructed wetlands of the lake Jurvasenlampi to tackle climate mitigation challenges
Background: Jurvasenlampi constructed wetland was a pilot site of the project 'Co-planning of land use sector climate change mitigation in the Kiiminkijoki river catchment' in 2022-2024 that was funded by the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry in Finland. As part of the project, several wetland and peatland restoration sites have been co-planned together with local stakeholders and landowners in the Kiiminkijoki river basin.
The climate change mitigation in the land use sector in Finland concentrates on peatland dominated areas. However, local actors have limited knowledge on how to prioritize and target climate actions within catchment areas, which this project addresses. Therefore, the objective was to develop a comprehensive plan of land use sector climate measures for the Kiiminkijoki catchment in northern Finland. The ensemble of climate measures has been designed to be environmentally sustainable, socially just and economically feasible. Other objectives of this project are to increase and restore the biodiversity of peatlands, with a particular focus on areas where biodiversity has already been altered.
Results/Recommendations: The coming years will show whether the created wetlands can filter enough organic matter and nutrients released from upstream drained peatlands. The aim is to reduce flooding and dry seasons and to restore or increase carbon sinks. The constructed wetlands of Lake Jurvasenlampi serve as a model of how to develop and implement a catchment-level vision and actions.
The Jurvasenlampi wetland project has inspired several other river catchment projects. The "mother project" has created new partnerships and local and regional cooperation among diverse stakeholders. In addition, the pilot sites received support from existing national forest management funds.
Empowering rural communities to act for change
Ongoing | 2023-2027
- Main funding source
- Horizon Europe (EU Research and Innovation Programme)
- Geographical location
- Italy, Spain, Germany, Finland, Belgium, Austria, Greece, Croatia, Ireland, Netherlands, Sweden, Cyprus, United Kingdom, Switzerland, Ukraine