Limfjorden Case Area, Denmark

Case-study purpose: The aim of this case study is to find a way to reach good ecological status in the Limfjorden according to the Water Framework Directive. According to the Water Framework Directive programs of measures must be produced by 2009 for all water bodies failing to meet the ecological objectives (WFD art. 11). A program of measures will be developed for the catchments area of Limfjorden four years ahead of schedule in WFD. Emphasis will be given to the eutrophication of the fjord, public consultation and spatial planning.

Geographical placement and landuse:In the Northern part of Jutland, Denmark, lies Limfjorden. The catchment area covers in total 7608 km² which is one sixth of the total area of Denmark. The fresh water runoff from the catchment area comes mainly via water courses. The catchment area is located in 4 counties and 44 % of the catchment area is located in the County of North Jutland. 70% of the area is used by intensive agriculture, with a high density of livestock; in total 500.000 livestock units. 15 % is covered by forest while the rest is nature and urban areas. Large areas in the Limfjorden and in the catchment area are designated NATURA 2000 areas, for habitats and resting areas for birds.

Ecological status, main pressures and threats to the watercourse: The status of Limfjorden is quite far from good ecological status. The main problem in the fiord is eutrophication. The main source for the eutrophication of the fjord is the agriculture. 70% of the loading with Nitrogen and 37% of phosphorates originates from agriculture. Mussel fishing and toxics from ships have also negative impact on the ecological quality of the fjord.

Tools and methods used in the case study: An empirical modelling has been carried out in order to find how basis for good ecological status can be expressed in operational objectives. A field based nitrogen model has been used on 270.000 fields to give the spatial distribution of the leaching from the arable land. Additionally a list of possible measures and best practice for the spatial distribution of the measures has been determined. Afterwards there is a process with public participation and a political debate.

Results and outcomes: In the case-area report, emphasis was put on inventorying the user conflicts and the pressures and impacts in the case-area. Extensive tables summing up the issues, conflicts and pressures can be found within the report.

A description of the bio/physical factors affected in the area was included. In addition, the problems concerning the implementation of the WFD were included in the report. Emphasis was put on the current legislative situation within the administrative sphere in Denmark (the structural reform, 2007).

Further work within this case study will be focused on developing means for public participation processes using the Public Hearing Database, Priority Game tools and Webhipre from Watersketch Toolbox. The tools will be tested and ideally implemented.

Interactive map

Click to view an interactive map (SVG) of the Limfjorden Case Area.

SVG-viewer is needed. The viewer does not work with Mozilla Firefox.

Description and introduction to SVG can be found here

Data viewed in the map are a land cover classification (Corine Land Cover), the ammonia bound nitrogen level, the population density and the streams in the area sorrounding the Limfjord.

Additional information

Pdf document with more details on the case area can be found here.

Contact information: County of Northen Jutland (NJA), NERI (DENMARK)

3D view around Northern Jutland (in Danish language, requires application installation)

Help with installation can be found here. It is in Danish Language.