Restoration of an abandoned cultural landscape in a world heritage site – management of semi-natural hay meadows in the Vega Archipelago, Northern Norway

Trapping water voles (Arvicola amphibius) proved to be the most effective immediate measure for halting soil erosion and restoring vegetation cover in abandoned hay meadows of the UNESCO-listed Vega Archipelago, Northern Norway. The study identified that overgrowth—particularly by Filipendula ulmaria—and water vole activity accelerate erosion by exposing soil to wind, precipitation, and digging, respectively. To address this, researchers introduced a salt-tolerant seed mixture combined with seaweed-based soil improvement while trapping voles to protect plant establishment. Ongoing vegetation surveys suggest that while soil stabilization is time-consuming, it is critical for fostering species-rich meadows. This work bridges traditional land management knowledge with modern conservation practices, offering actionable insights for stakeholders in similar semi-natural habitats.

Bär, A. K., & Carlsen, T. H. (2018). Restoration of an abandoned cultural landscape in a world heritage site – management of semi-natural hay meadows in the Vega Archipelago, Northern Norway. Proceedings of the 5th European Congress of Conservation Biology. https://doi.org/10.17011/conference/eccb2018/108035