Att stärka naturupplevelser : ett gestaltningsprogram för Angarnsjöängens våtmarksområde

Sammanfattning: Biodiversity is of great importance. It is the foundation for ecosystem services which contribute to human welfare, purifies air and water and counteract climate change. Ecologically important environments, however, are not always easily discovered. In addition, many of these ecosystems are perceived as messy and structurally deficient. In order to preserve ecosystem services it is of significance to improve the visibility and knowledge of biologically valuable environments. Wetlands are ecosystems of great biological value and constitute a valuable habitat for a number of endangered plant and animal species. The scarcity of factors which improve the familiarity of the setting, may however, contributes to an ambiguous understanding of the environment. Within the field of environmental psychology, qualities which have the potential to enhance the experience and understanding of the surrounding landscape have been presented. The purpose of this paper is to investigate how such qualities can be utilized in order to strengthen nature experiences in a wetland area, thus emphasizing its ecosystem services. The paper is largely based on the research of Rachel and Stephen Kaplan with regard to theories of environmental preferences and Joan Iverson Nassauer’s theories of cues to care. The purpose of the study is to examine how experiential values can be enhanced in a wetland area with regard to the protection of its valuable plant and animal life. The wetland area of Angarnsjöängen, in the northern region of Stockholm County, was investigated in order to elucidate which experiential qualities are scarce in the area and how they can be improved. The methods consisted of a literature study, a Landscape Character Assessment, an Experiential landscape Analysis and contact with experts in the field. The result is a design programme, presented in the form of a site plan and a vision for the area. Potential repercussions of the programme are visual changes to the landscape, as well as measures taken to enable experiences in close proximity to water and vegetation, may affect plant and animal life in the area. Further investigations with regard to the sensitivity of the landscape are of significance, however, small means of improvement have the possibility to result in great experiential values.