Major increase in protected marine area The largest increase in nature reserve area came from the two new reserves Skånska Kattegatt in northwest Skåne and Ottenby rev south of Öland’s southern tip, and the expanded reserve Svenska Högarna in the northeast section of the Stockholm archipelago. Taken together, these account for an increase of 130 000 hectares. 2021-05-27 • Protected nature
Formally protected areas account for 15 percent Formally protected areas account for 14.9 percent of Sweden’s total land area and inland waters. Almost all of the protected areas, 97 percent, are permanently protected under the Environmental Code. Permanent protection covers national parks, nature reserves, nature conservation areas, habitat protection areas, the National City Park, and Natura 2000. Formal protection applies to 12 percent of Sweden’s marine areas, virtually all with permanent protection under the Environmental Code. 2020-05-27 • Protected nature
Protected nature accounts for 15 percent of Sweden’s terrestrial area The protected nature that emerged in 2018 consisted of almost 60 percent of forest land. Marine areas accounted for 22 percent and 12 percent were open wetlands. 2019-05-24 • Protected nature
Protected nature in Sweden 2017 Nationally designated areas of protection encompass 11 percent of Sweden’s land surface, including inland waters. In 2017, designated protected areas (marine and terrestrial) increased by almost 100 000 hectares. The new areas are mainly located in nature reserves in mountainous areas in northern Sweden. 2018-05-23 • Protected nature
Protected areas 2016 In total, the nationally designated areas of protection encompass more than 5.5 million hectares in total (marine areas included). 89 percent, or 4.9 million hectares, comprise land areas and inland water. This represents 11 percent of Sweden’s land surface. Including the protection type Natura 2000, protected nature comprises 14 percent of Sweden’s land area, including inland waters. 2017-05-24 • Protected nature
