The total area of wilderness territory in Norway has been greatly reduced over the past 100 years. The largest change has occurred in the lowlands of southern Norway, where larger areas of wilderness are virtually non-existent. The reduction and fragmentation of wilderness territory characterizes most mountainous areas as well. As more and more wilderness is lost to human expansion and development, the need to preserve representative areas for future generations becomes increasingly meaningful and important. However, other important wetland areas, such as river deltas are seriously influenced by human activities.
Marshlands have many of the same qualities as river deltas.
Marshlands and mires have been particularly vulnerable to drainage and ditching in connection with forestry and agriculture. Wetlands, mires and bogs are considered as important buffers against river flooding. Clear-cutting of forested areas, including forest close to rivers, cultivation all the way down to the river bed combined with ditching and drainage, may at least partly explain the serious river floodings that we have experienced during the recent years.