Danish river valleys changed a lot since the last Ice Age in Denmark. First nature itself sat all conditions and formed the valley by water from the melting ice. Later on human settlement began and the use of the land for grazing and hay making started. For thousands of years the primary aim of the use of the valleys was to supply feed for the farmers’ animals and to secure fertilization for additional farm production. This purpose led to the development of a unique balance of flora and fauna in the environment of the river valleys. This balance was totally depending on an ongoing grazing to prevent the valleys from overgrowth of trees.
Effective farming development and the use of artificially produced fertilization led to marginalization of the river valley. The extensive use and grazing of the river valleys was no longer profitable. Many areas were drained and different policies and decisions up through 19tt century caused the draining of thousands of acres. This land could now be used for more intensive farming purposes. The land that was not used for intensive production grew into forest.
Today is an increasing focus upon biodiversity also in river valleys. This masters’ thesis examines and presents the benefits for nature as well as for society after land consolidation in the river valley Kastbjerg Ådal.
Through this project more benefits and positive effects for nature turned up. Obviously these were primarily obtained through a better land allocation and the registration of the duty of caretaking within the involved owners’ areas.
Benefits for society turned out to be quite comprehensive and will depend upon a further research and examination of local conditions. One major benefit seemed to be found within the municipalities’ administration of caretaking activities in nature. Through land allocation and registration of the duty of caretaking many nature areas might be taken care of without any interference of authorities. Hereby it is a possible to have a big reduction in costs for nature caretaking. If areas are not taking care of by the landowners and if municipal authorities will have to make arrangements with other landowners about the caretaking duties, it will be possible to achieve agreements covering an 80 % bigger area per landowner than before land consolidation.
The expected efficiency when it comes to the use of energy is also a benefit for society. Through shorter distances of transportation and fewer landowners there will be less transport to and from the areas.