Bredvalla, Naturreservat

In the southern part of the Transtrandsfjällen mountains lies the Bredvalla River, which gives this nature reserve its name. The Bredvalla River flows steeply, with several waterfalls, through the narrow canyon on the northern slope of Bredvallsfjället, eventually joining the Fejmån River. The reserve, which stretches along part of the Bredvalla River’s course, features a varied, mature forest with high natural value. Photo: Sebastian Kirppu

Spruce forest and swamp forest

Around the lower reaches of the Bredvalla River grows a spruce forest of the meadow spruce type, with an abundance of dead wood and a herb-rich flora. Species found here include wild currant, snakeberry, baneberry, and hollow fern. In the southwestern part of the reserve, the spruce forest transitions into a swamp forest with a high proportion of deciduous trees and rich herbaceous vegetation. The three-toed woodpecker has been observed nesting here.

Various types of moss, lichen, and the very rare taiga poring

On rowan and willow, lung lichen and crustose lichen are found. Rock surfaces, cliff walls, and boulders in the splash zone of the waterfalls form a unique environment where several rare lichens and mosses have been found, including the critically endangered lichens broktagel and trådbrosklav.

Other species worthy of protection found in the area include the blue truffle, shadow pine, fuzzy pin lichen, small hornwort, and the very rare taiga poring.

Old spruce and pine trees with more than seven lives

In the higher parts of the reserve, ancient mountain spruce forest spreads up toward the tree line, with a greater proportion of mountain birch the higher one goes. Some spruce trees are 250–300 years old. Isolated traces of fire have been found, and these appear to become more common the further down the slope one goes. For example, a broken pine stump with traces of seven fires has been found.