strandvatten

Strandvatten is a term used in Swedish hydrology and coastal ecology to describe the shallow water body adjacent to shorelines, both along seas and lakes. It encompasses the nearshore zone from the shoreline to deeper water, and in lakes, the littoral zone. The water in strandvatten is typically shallow, often well mixed, and subject to rapid changes in salinity, temperature, and turbidity, driven by wind, tides (where applicable), rainfall, runoff, and groundwater discharge. In coastal seas, the mix of freshwater input and sea water can create brackish conditions, with gradients that shift with tides and seasonal changes.

The ecological value of strandvatten is high. It supports juvenile fish, invertebrates, aquatic plants, and algae, and serves as a feeding and nursery area. The region is dynamic but vulnerable to human impacts such as nutrient enrichment, pollution, sedimentation, coastal development, and dredging, which can alter habitat structure and water quality.

In management practice, strandvatten is often a focus of monitoring and protection efforts because changes in nearshore water quality rapidly affect both ecosystems and recreational use. Measurements typically include salinity, temperature, dissolved oxygen, nutrients, turbidity, and contaminants. Protecting strandvatten involves controlling runoff, reducing nutrient inputs, and preserving shoreline vegetation to maintain natural sediment and nutrient balances.