Storkriket is home to 22 percent of Sweden’s red-listed species. It also hosts extensive food production and Vombsjön, a lake that supplies drinking water to half a million people. The designation as a biosphere reserve is a recognition of the area’s unique natural and cultural values and its potential to become a role model for sustainable societal development.
“This opens up opportunities for broader environmental research, especially on how different actors can collaborate to build a sustainable society,” says Pål Axel Olsson, professor of plant ecology, who represented Lund University through CEC in Storkriket’s reference group during the feasibility study and application process.
Strong research environment and long-standing tradition
Lund University has a long tradition of ecological research in the area, particularly in Revingefältet and the entire Vombsänkan. The region boasts exceptionally high biodiversity, and more than fifty doctoral theses in biology are based on research conducted here.
“It’s a significant milestone that the area is now a biosphere reserve. I’ve worked with the Scanian landscape for many years – a landscape rich in natural values and intensively used. The biosphere approach is about how humans and nature can evolve together,” says Pål Axel Olsson.
The role of research in the biosphere reserve
Globally, there are over 750 biosphere reserves, designed to demonstrate how ecological resources can be used without being depleted, and to develop and test methods for sustainable development. The designation of Storkriket does not involve new legal protections or restrictions, but rather focuses on collaboration, knowledge exchange, innovation, and education.
“Research and education are central to a biosphere reserve. Innovation and cooperation are needed to find solutions to sustainability challenges, and Lund University has an important role to play,” says Anna-Karin Poussart, biosphere coordinator and director of operations in Storkriket.
One key collaboration has been the Formas-funded project Policylabb Storkriket, led by CEC, which has focused on developing and fostering cooperation around nature-based solutions for climate adaptation. The project has served as a meeting ground for researchers, municipalities, landowners, businesses, and civil society organizations.
“The project has laid an important foundation for collaboration in the area and provided input for our strategy. We hope for more partnerships with Lund University, as we see a need for further research and knowledge,” says Anna-Karin Poussart.
Sustainability across the entire landscape
A central aspect of biosphere work is to include the entire landscape – from urban areas to farmland and protected nature. Initially, the project area was smaller and known as Vombsjösänkan, but it was later expanded to include several towns, including Lund and Sjöbo.
“The idea of a biosphere reserve here has existed for a long time, but gained momentum when Sjöbo Municipality and Region Skåne funded a feasibility study in 2017. It’s especially gratifying that the initiative has been driven by such a wide range of actors – associations, local residents, municipalities, and academia,” says Anna-Karin Poussart.
From zero to two species of stork
The name Storkriket symbolizes how humans can influence nature. The white stork disappeared from Skåne and Sweden in the 1950s, partly due to wetland drainage for agriculture. The Swedish Society for Nature Conservation launched the Stork Project in the late 1980s to reintroduce the species. After years of breeding and volunteer efforts, the first wild-born pair nested in Skåne in 2014. But what happens to the name of the biosphere reserve if the stork disappears again?
“I find it hard to imagine the stork disappearing again – it’s a natural part of the landscape. In fact, we might end up with two stork species. In addition to the white stork, the black stork has been increasingly observed in Skåne. Who knows, it might nest here in the future. But it’s much harder to spot – it’s shy and feeds in forest wetlands and streams,” says Pål Axel Olsson.
Future challenges and research questions
Many biological values are tied to the traditional agricultural landscape with meadows and grazing animals, and these areas remain important even as land use changes, according to Pål Axel Olsson.
“The military training grounds in the area have significant natural values. There are many horses in the area too, and I believe there’s potential for collaborations that could greatly benefit biodiversity. Another interesting aspect is preparedness, which relies on local food production. How can agricultural businesses compete in a global market while producing food locally?” he says.
During the candidacy phase, Storkriket was funded by the three municipalities and the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency, with about SEK 1.7 million per year. Now that Storkriket has become a biosphere reserve, municipal funding for the biosphere office, which coordinates the work, is expected to increase. These funds are leveraged through externally funded projects, and so far, the biosphere office has received around SEK 10 million in external funding.