River Lyckebyån
Trout, otter and river pearl mussel in sight
River Lyckebyån is a watercourse in southeastern Sweden, about 100 kilometers long, with a catchment area of 811 km². The river, which flows through Kalmar and Blekinge counties before entering the Baltic Sea at Lyckeby, is an important source of drinking water for Karlskrona and Emmaboda municipalities.
River Lyckebyån is particularly important for the reproduction of sea trout in the lower parts. In addition to trout, there are species such as ide, brook lamprey, whitefish, perch, pike, minnow and river pearl mussel. However, the stock of river pearl mussel is weak and no regeneration is taking place. Otters and hairstreaks also occur along the river.
Several restoration projects underway
Historical dredging, lake lowering and hydropower development have had a major impact on the Lyckebyån water system. Power plant and mill dams have reduced connectivity in the water system and affected the distribution of aquatic organisms.
To counteract the negative effects and restore large parts of the river’s ecosystem, several restoration projects are being carried out, including GRIP on LIFE IP and IMPROVE LIFE. The measures include restoration of wetlands, biotope management and improvement of connectivity by removing migration barriers. Through collaboration between municipalities, fisheries management area associations and other stakeholders, the aim is to achieve good ecological status in River Lyckebyån, preserve endangered species and increase the resilience of the water to climate change. Karlskrona municipality and other stakeholders are working to create fishways and restore important habitats. The Lyckebyån valley Natura 2000 site contains floodplain deciduous forest and species such as the river pearl mussel and otter. Conservation measures focus on improving water quality, creating natural flow dynamics and restoring riparian zones.
The Lyckebyån valley Natura 2000 site contains floodplain deciduous forest and species such as the river pearl mussel and otter.
Improve Aquatic LIFE actions
Improve Aquatic LIFE is being implemented with a particular focus on water retention, biodiversity and connectivity. A key element is the restoration of wetlands south of the Värma Lake outlet Natura 2000 site. This will improve the natural purification of the watercourse and strengthen ecosystem functions.
The project also includes habitat management and restoration of riparian zones to benefit species such as the pearl mussel and its host fish, the brown trout. By restoring important habitats and improving water quality, the conditions for sustainable populations of these species will increase. These efforts complement the work already underway to improve connectivity and restore stretches of river.
The conservation status of the pearl mussel in River Lyckebyån is critical, and there is no documented regeneration, which threatens the survival of the species. Therefore, specific measures are also planned to strengthen the population through infestation of young mussels. Without such efforts, the population risks disappearing completely.
The measures within Improve Aquatic LIFE and the work of the municipalities and other organizations complement each other and provide synergy effects that together contribute to achieving the conservation objectives in Lyckebyån’s Natura 2000 areas, favorable conservation status for designated species and habitats and the environmental quality standard good ecological status.
Restoration of xxx
Here we are now
Fusce augue nibh, rhoncus quis mattis et, aliquam sit amet lorem. Sed neque dui, facilisis et luctus nec, molestie at orci. Suspendisse vel consequat lectus.
Survival of river pearl mussels depends on host fish
Barriers to migration
Removing migration barriers and opening up the river pearl mussel’s host fish, salmon and trout, will increase the species’ ability to reproduce. Barriers to migration come in many forms, from natural to man-made dams and power plants. In some cases, a good solution may be to build a wildlife passage to allow fish and other organisms to bypass the migration barrier.
River Lyckebyån
Latest news from the project area
Here you can read news about the target species and the actions being taken in the project area.