Description
The Talbyskogen nature reserve is an urban forest in the northeast part of Södertälje town. The forest vegetation in the reserve is mostly old conifers with some aspen and birch. The considerably high age of the trees makes the forest particularly interesting for plants and animals and for people who want to experience different types of virgin forest.
The types of forest in the area vary with the moisture level in the ground and with the type of soil. In higher parts of the area there is prime rock pineforest while other, more central parts of the reserve are moister and contain fen forest. In those areas, there are more deciduous trees, like birch and common alder. There’s also more dead wood in the moister parts. Old spruce forest grows in the valleys and in the drier parts, pine dominates the vegetation. Several species of red-listed fungi and moss have been found in the reserve. Among these are aspen bristle-moss and green shield-moss. Pycnoporellus fulgens and Phellinus populicola are examples of red-listed fungi.
There are plenty of footpaths in the area. A well used path is the one that makes the extension of the road Talbystrandsvägen, and continues parallel with the shore of Lake Mälaren to the north, leading up to the summerhouse area at Viksäter. Where the path crosses through the nature reserve, the forest is not only protected by the rules for the nature reserve, but also by the regulations made for the six hectares that are included in the previous biotope protection- and Natura 2000-area. Examples of the cultural heritage in the area are the charcoal stacks in the central part of Talbyskogen.
Accessibility
If you want to visit the area and arrive by car, there’s a parking area available by Mälarbadet. There is also an information board with directions to the actual reserve.
The purpose of the reserve:
To preserve and take care of an urban forest area for recreation and nature events. The purpose is also to preserve a forested area with old-grown coniferous and deciduous trees and precious living environments for animals, fungi and plants that are infavoured by modern forestry. In the parts that are Natura 2000, beneficial preservation status will be maintained for the nature types and species that are to be protected.
Decree: Södertälje Environmental Committee, October 28, 2004.
The Swedish Government has also designated parts of the reserve as a Natura 2000-area.
Acreage: 42 hectare of land, where 6 hectare also is a biotope protection area as well as a Natura 2000-area.
Conservation manager: Södertälje environmental department.
Restrictions for the public:
Besides regulations and prohibitions in laws and constitutions it is not allowed to:
- Break twigs, cut down or in other ways damage living or dead trees or bushes that are standing or lying on the ground.
- Catch and collect invertebrates in such a way that their biotopes or reproduction environments are harmed or destroyed.
- Put up a poster, sign or make an inscription.
- Without permission from the Södertälje Environmental arrange contests.
- Camp/set up a tent.
- Make fire.
- Bring unleashed dog or other pet, with an exception for hunting with driving/rousing dog or for searching purposes.
The picture above: Old coniferous forest in the nature reserve. Photography Göran G. Johansson
