Bollåsen, Naturreservat

Bollåsens nature reserve consists of an old pine forest located on a sand ridge created by the ice sheet.

Bollåsen Nature Reserve is located just under a mile south of Råda in Hagfors municipality. The reserve consists mainly of open sand pine forest with an age of 150-200 years with elements of occasional even older pines.

The entire area is located on glacial river deposits that have been formed by the erosion of Klarälven over several thousand years.

The light-open forest on the sandy soils provides a very suitable environment for species associated with old pine and sand pine forests. Several red-listed soil fungi that depend on long tree continuity and thin soil cover have been found in the area.

Unusual animals and plants

The soil has a thin humus and vegetation layer, which can be explained by the fact that the soil is well-drained and that the forest has therefore long been sparse and therefore been well exposed to the sun, especially on southern slopes, with relatively rapid decomposition of the litter and humus layer.

These conditions provide a very suitable environment for species associated with old pine and sand pine forests. Several red-listed soil fungi that are dependent on long tree continuity and thin soil cover have been found in the area, including the goliath mushroom and the root finger fungus, both of which are classified as VU, vulnerable, in the Red List.

Many of the older pines have tortoise bark and a flat crown. The amount of dead wood varies in the area, and in places there is a good supply of both flames and dry wood.

The area has interesting geological formations because it is located on ice river deposits. Among other things, there are the remains of an old river channel (known as a basket lake), river banks and terraces. The old river channel has been transformed into a wetland of the ristuvemyr type with some low-growing bog pine.

The south-facing and terraced slope of Bollåsen with sparse pine forest is a very favorable environment for warm sandy soil species among both fauna and flora. Several finds of different species of mountain sponge have been noted throughout the stand.

Old natural forests of this type are very rare in Värmland and Sweden, and the environment therefore has a very high conservation value in itself. Sandbar forests are a nationally and regionally designated forest type that is prioritized for protection.

Before your visit

Accessibility to the nature reserve is good thanks to a road running through the area. The area is easy to walk and the forest is sparse and open.