Strandby wetland

Strandby wetland is located on the southern part of Funen (DK) in Assens municipality. In 2023, 30 ha of former, actively drained agricultural land was rewetted and natural hydrology was restored to reduce nitrogen loads to coastal waters. Alongside the rewetting of the soils, the stream systems were remeandered and shallow ponds for amphibians were created. The nature-based solution aims to reduce nitrogen loads to the local coastal waters with 3 tonnes per year.  

The area is expected to develop into a wet meadow over time maintaining habitats for biodiversity support. As part of the restoration, measures to support recreational values were undertaken by increasing public access, adding camp sites and providing walking paths through the area.  

Since 2023, Aqua-NbS have been measuring the emissions of the highly potent greenhouse gasses CO₂, CH₄, and N₂O to help us assess the climatic impact of these nature-based solutions. We have also investigated the annual carbon pools of the soils and plants according to expected wetness of the area. To assess the co-benefits derived from the project, we investigated the plant biodiversity before and after rewetting as well as the nutrient flow through the remeandered stream through the area. Assens municipality is the main actor and contact of the project.