Description
In the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency publication ”Bog protection plan for Sweden” that was published in 1994, Bårsjön is mentioned as one of the country’s most valuable bogs. The Bårsjön nature reserve is situated approximately 7 kilometers northwest of Södertälje town. The reserve is partly in Södertälje and partly in Nykvarn municipality.
The southern part of the reserve that belongs to Nykvarn municipality is about as large as the northern part that belongs to Södertälje. Only about 25% of the actual Bårsjön Lake is situated within the municipality of Södertälje though. The major part of the nature reserve is a Natura 2000-area.
Bårsjön is a small lake that is mostly covered with floating plants with quagmire around the edges. The peat grows progressively as the quagmire vegetation expands over the lake surface. Wetlands and swamp forests that are rich in species surround the lake. Within certain marsh areas, there is moss that indicates a nutricious environment, probably because there is calcareous soil in the deeper layers. The same goes for some parts of solid ground where orchids that benefit from calcareous soil grow. In the southeastern part of the reserve the red-listed moss Herzogiella turfacea, that is also a Natura 2000-species, can be found.
The wetland area is an important mating area for frogs. Common crane and osprey visit the area regularly. The hiking path Täljeleden runs along the southern shore of the lake. Minor fellings have been done both south- and north of the lake.
Accessibility
There is no bus service to the area but there are walking paths by the lake.
The purpose of the reserve
To preserve a diverse wetland area with open oligotrophic and medium-eutrophic bogs and diverse fen forests with a flora that is affected by calcareous soil. The reserve shall serve to help keeping a beneficial preservation status for those nature types and species that are to be protected according to the preservation plan for the Natura-2000-area.
Decree: The County Administrative Board, September 22, 2004.
The Swedish Government has also designated Bårsjön as a Natura 2000-area.
Areal: 71 hectare of which 7 hectare is water.
Conservation manager: The County Administrative Board.
Restrictions for the public
Besides regulations and prohibitions in laws and constitutions it is not allowed to:
- Destroy or damage mountain, rock, earth or stone by drilling, picking, blasting, carving, digging, painting or similar.
- Break twigs, cut down or in other ways damage living or dead trees or bushes or damage other vegetation by digging up twigs, herbs, grass, moss or lichens or to remove wood-living fungi.
- Disturb the wildlife (for example by climbing trees, capture or kill mammals, birds, reptiles or amphibians).
- During the bird’s nesting period, April 1:st –July 15:th, travel the water of Bårsjön with canoe or other craft.
- Catch and collect invertebrates.
- Bring unleashed dog or other pet.
- Put up a board, sign, poster or make an inscription.
- Drive a motorised vehicle.
- Make fire.
