Markvård

Markvård is a Swedish term for the practices that maintain, improve, and adapt land used for agriculture, forestry, or nature management. The aim is to safeguard soil fertility and structure, ensure long-term productivity, and preserve or enhance biodiversity and landscape values. Markvård covers preventive maintenance as well as restoration actions, and is often tailored to local site conditions and management goals.

Typical markvård activities include soil preparation and cultivation to reduce weed pressure and improve germination; weed control by mechanical means, herbicides, or sustainable alternatives; nutrient management through targeted fertilization and liming; drainage and irrigation adjustments to optimize moisture regimes; vegetation management such as mowing, grazing, or cutting to maintain desired plant communities and age structures; planting and tending of trees or shrubs in forest restoration; erosion control measures and soil-conservation practices; restoration of degraded meadows and wetlands; and monitoring of soil health, plant communities, and biodiversity indicators.

Implementation is carried out by landowners, forest managers, or agricultural contractors, often with support from public programs, subsidies, or advisory services. Decisions are guided by environmental legislation, forestry and agricultural policy, and regional guidelines.

Effective markvård supports sustainable production, soil carbon sequestration, water regulation, and habitat provision, while contributing to landscape quality and resilience to climate change. Challenges include balancing production with conservation goals, variability in climate and market conditions, and access to expertise and funding.