River Ljungbyån

River Ljungbyån is a 62 km long river in south-eastern Sweden with a catchment area of 757 km². The source flows come from an extensive area of marshes and small lakes in southwestern Kalmar County, and the river flows into Kalmarsund at Ljungbylund. The main river divides into two streams – River Ljungbyån and Gunnaboån.

River Ljungbyån flows through a landscape of farmland, flooded meadows and swamp forest. The river is characterized by its meandering course through an extremely flat moraine plateau with small differences in level. The most valuable parts of the river have a branching system of watercourses and deciduous swamp forest, creating a unique habitat.

The river has a rich fish fauna and is of particular interest for sport fishing, not least because it is home to large sea trout

Unusual moss and rich fish fauna
The lush flora along the waterways includes many species. One of the most unusual species is hair moss, which grows on boulders and alder roots along the Gunnaboån river.

The river has a rich fish fauna and is of particular interest for sport fishing, not least because it is home to large sea trout. River Ljungbyån is also of national interest for nature conservation. The Natura 2000 site consists mainly of the habitat type “Watercourse with floating-leaf vegetation or aquatic mosses.

Impacts and ecological status
Despite its high nature values, River Ljungbyån has been affected by human interventions, and today has a moderate ecological status according to the EU Water Framework Directive.

Historically, the river has been used as a source of power, resulting in many old mills and hydropower plants along the river. This causes severe fragmentation, with dams hindering fish migration and blocking spawning grounds. In addition, the river has been cleared of large rocks and dead wood, reducing its biodiversity, especially for fish species. Some stretches have also been straightened and re-dug.

In recent years, summer water scarcity has become a recurring problem, negatively affecting both habitats and species.

Restoration actions under Improve Aquatic LIFE

According to the Natura 2000 management plan for River Ljungbyån, ensuring free migration of fish, restoring and creating new spawning areas and restoring wetlands are priorities.

The LIFE Improve project foresees the following actions:

• Two major and several minor migration barriers will be removed, opening up 5,000 meters of the river for free migration of fish and other aquatic species.
• Habitat restoration on 1500 meters of the river, focusing on important habitats for migrating fish.
• Restoration of natural water level variations, benefiting species such as hairstreak and swamp forest flora and fauna.

The measures will improve connectivity, hydrology, biodiversity, fish production and habitats. They will also help to strengthen Natura 2000 species such as the Eurasian watermilfoil, the stone loach, the sea trout, the lamprey and the minnow by enabling free migration from the Baltic Sea to upstream spawning and nursery areas.