Stora Höjden, Naturreservat

Stora Höjden is an ancient forest with very high natural values.

Spruce is the most common tree species. The terrain is bouldery and very hilly. The forest contains trees of different ages and many old, rough-barked aspens. Several of the rare species found in the area depend on the high and even humidity of the forest. If the forest were to thin, the wind could blow through, causing moist environments to dry out.

The reserve was created to preserve biodiversity. Therefore, Stora Höjden will be allowed to develop freely. The natural water balance in the soil will be preserved.

Animals and plants

The nature reserve contains dying trees and dead trees in various stages of decay. These are important habitats for rare lichens, mosses and fungi. Therefore, there are also several rare species in the reserve such as the lead lichen Degelia plumbea, the brown-powdered needle lichen Chaenotheca gracillima, the large reef moss Bazzania trilobata and the trap moss Antitrichia curtipendula. Fungi that grow on wood are the border tick Phellinus nigrolimitatus and the wood tick Phellinus viticola. Woodland birds such as capercaillie Tetrao urogallus and wolverine Bonasa bonasia thrive in the area.