The Västankvarn wetland is located right next to Söderlandsvägen. The nature trail passes by the wetland, but it is possible to walk around it if you wish. The wetland, which covers 1.6 hectares, was built in 2019 by WWF Finland in collaboration with Västankvarn Farm.
Function and benefits
Restoring and creating new wetlands is an effective way to control water flow in a catchment area. Wetlands can retain water and slow down the flow, which reduces the risk of flooding and erosion. At the same time, they act as a filter, binding particles and harmful substances. The vegetation in and around the wetland binds nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus. The wetland purifies runoff water from 250 hectares of farmland and forest land, reducing the amount of nutrients and soil that ends up in the Inkoo River and the Baltic Sea. After a while, the wetland becomes overgrown and the water flow decreases, which means that it needs regular maintenance to remove parts of the vegetation. At the southern end, there is a well where the water flow can be regulated in connection with maintenance measures. The area around the wetland has a rich animal and bird life and is well suited for bird watching and photography.
More information about wetlands in the area can be found in the links below:
Feliciano, Katrina & Nyberg, Anna (2022). Wetlands at Västankvarn farm. Youtube. https://youtu.be/GBOaBe4tauY
Feliciano, Katrina & Nyberg, Anna (2022). How to catch Wetland invertebrates. https://youtu.be/cxuDFxXFl1s
