This makes for very little motor traffic. Moreover, the area has no polluting industries. Thus, the Koster islands provide a unique possibility for studying changes in the background environment of western Sweden. The population living year-round on the islands of North and South Koster totals 350. The summer population may exceed 4000.
Tourism is greatest when there is least rain.
This places a tremendous strain on the water and waste water system on the islands which, in turn, poses a threat to drinking water, the most important human foodstuff. The islanders have been aware of these problems for many years. This project was initiated in 1987 as a follow-up study of the human living conditions and ageing in a changing environment. However, during the first year of the study it was evident that the islanders were more concerned about changes in their immediate environment than about their physical health. Since 1989, more than 15 research areas at Goteborg University are represented in the project, along with scientists from Chalmers University of Technology.