Benthic Macroinvertebratesas Biodiversity Indicators

Over the past century, Sweden's rivers and streams have been significantly altered by human activity by being cleared and dammed, causing many species and habitats to be displaced or disappear. This project is developing a scientific tool to help stakeholders restore our waterways in an effective and sustainable manner.

Sweden’s waterways have long been used for agriculture, forestry, and hydropower, but these activities have damaged ecosystems. Acidification, eutrophication, and other emissions have exacerbated the situation. As new environmental requirements are introduced for hydropower and international targets call for the restoration of nature, there is a growing need to know where efforts will be most beneficial.

The project is based on a unique database containing millions of observations of small bottom-dwelling animals – known as benthic macroinvertebrates – such as insect larvae, snails and crustaceans. These species are crucial to life in watercourses and serve as indicators of ecological health.

By combining this knowledge with geographical information about landscapes, water flows and human impact, a digital model is developed that shows where natural values exist today and how they may change in the future. The result is concrete decision support that helps authorities, power companies and other actors to preserve biodiversity – while ensuring a sustainable energy supply.