Hönstorps hässle, Naturreservat

The hazel-covered lands of the Mittland region of Öland have a history stretching back 9000 years. Land of this kind has traditionally been the outlying pasture of the villages. Here, cattle grazed freely during the summer.

Long history of pasture

The nature reserve has apparently been used for a long time as grazing land in combination with the harvesting of hazelnuts and some firewood. Both hazel and birch are mentioned in the 1842 probate map of the area. Areas with a lot of hazel of this kind are thus called hazel groves. As hazel grows in 'bouquets', these forests, which are also grazed, are very typical in appearance. The ground under the hazel bushes is shaded during the summer by the leaves of the bushes and there are few grasses and herbs growing here, but these environments are all the more important for a lot of unusual fungi. An impressive range of rare mycorrhizal fungi have been found in Hönstorp's hässle, including many red-listed spider mites. Some of these have beautiful names like beryl spider and frost spider. There are also exciting species of decomposing fungi, such as the veil mushroom.

The natural values lie in the variety...

Hönstorps hässle with its long history as a grazed outfield is dominated by a larger hässle with interspersed dry limestone grasslands, limestone wet meadows, rich marshes, spring marshes and wetlands. These open limestone grasslands are very species-rich environments and the same applies to the fen in the western part of the area. In the drier areas, species such as field bindweed, cuckoo keys, St. Persi's keys, solstice and thyme grow. In damp areas, you can find mayweed, water primrose, fly agaric and honeydew.

...and the microclimate

Hedgerows are often important habitats for many specialized species. The reason for this is that very unique conditions are created in these soils. In the centre of the reserve, a mosaic-like system of glades winds its way, offering a warm and wind-protected microclimate in summer. An important part of the area's natural value is this mosaic of small open limestone grasslands surrounded by protective forest and scrub.