The nature reserve is a large coherent forested area with damp untouched forest in the valleys where rare fungi species grow. On the surrounding mountain tops pine trees grow and even though they are several hundred years old, their trunks aren’t particularly thick.
Description
There are a number of oligotrophic lakes in the area; Stora Alsjön and Lilla Horssjön are two of them. The lakes are surrounded by proportionately expansive and relatively untouched coniferous forests with high natural values. The forests have different characters depending on whether they are located in the damp valleys between the mountain ridges or up on the dry bedrock. The fungi flora in the area is particularly rich, especially in the valleys where many red listed species have been found.
The following five species of Sarcodon can be found here: Sarcodon fennicus, Sarcodon glaucopus, Sarcodon versipellis, Sarcodon lundellii and Sarcodon scabrosus. Among the Aphyllophorales in the reserve, Junghuhnia collabens, Pycnoporellus fulgens and Skeletocutis tschulymica is worth mentioning.
Forest fires have occurred in the reserve as late as in 2002. Certain types of red listed beetles that benefit from forest fires have been found in the reserve, like Tragosoma depsarium and Calitys scabra. Wood Grouse and nightjar can also be seen here. From the high mountain Alsjöklint in the middle of the nature reserve you have a miles wide view over the forest landscape. The walking trail Sörmlandsleden passes through the reserve. Great Fen-sedge grows around the shores of Lake Stora Alsjön.
Accessibility
There is no public transport to the area. The more than 1000 kilometers long walking trail Sörmlandsleden passes through the nature reserve.
The purpose of the reserve:
The purpose of the nature preservation area is to preserve a forested area with bogs and lakes, including their plant- and animal life. The living environments and species that were the reason that the area became a Natura 2000 location shall have a beneficial preservation status. The area is to be accessible for recreational activities in a way that doesn’t put its natural values at risk.
Decree: The County Administrative Board April 17, 2008.
The area has also been designated as a Natura 2000-area.
Acreage: 248 hectare of which 232 hectare is land.
Conservation manager: The County Administrative Board.
Restrictions for the public:
Besides regulations and prohibitions in laws and constitutions it is not allowed to:
- Dig, pick, blast or in any other way damage mountain, ground or rocks.
- Cut down or in other ways damage living or dead trees or bushes or to remove dead wood.
- Dig up twigs, herbs, grass, moss or lichens or removing wood living fungi, although it is allowed to pick flowers, berries and edible mushrooms.
- Make fire in other places than those that are provided for this purpose.
- Operate motorised vehicle outside of existing roads.
The picture above: From Lilla Horssjön in the nature reserve. Photography Björn Carlberg, County administrative board.
