miljöövervakningsnätverk

Miljöövervakning is a Swedish term that translates to environmental monitoring. It refers to the systematic and ongoing collection, analysis, and interpretation of data about the environment. This process is crucial for understanding the state of various environmental components, identifying trends, detecting pollution or degradation, and assessing the effectiveness of environmental policies and management strategies.

The scope of miljöövervakning is broad, encompassing aspects such as air quality, water quality (surface water, groundwater, and coastal waters), soil conditions, biodiversity, and the health of ecosystems. It involves a wide range of activities, from sampling and laboratory analysis to remote sensing and citizen science initiatives. The data gathered is used by government agencies, research institutions, environmental organizations, and industry for a variety of purposes.

Key objectives of miljöövervakning include providing a basis for environmental decision-making, fulfilling national and international reporting requirements, raising public awareness about environmental issues, and contributing to scientific research. It plays a vital role in ensuring the sustainable use of natural resources and protecting human health and the environment from harmful impacts. Sweden, with its strong environmental consciousness, has well-established systems for miljöövervakning, often coordinated by agencies like the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency (Naturvårdsverket).