Fälltjärnbäcken

The pine forest in Fälltjärnbäcken nature reserve grows in a soft, rolling landscape where it is easy to get about. The sand in the ground was deposited by a glacial river when the inland ice melted.

Due to their easy accessibility, forests on sandy ground have often been heavily felled by people. Ancient sand pine forests that have never been felled are extremely rare today. As a result, the sand pine forest is a high priority in our work aimed at protecting valuable nature.

A mecca for ground fungi

The sand pine forest is important for many rare ground fungi. In a good year for fungi, for example, you can find the beautiful blue-green hydnellum and the delicate pine mushroom. These two thrive in forests that have never been felled and where the vegetation on the ground is sparse due to recurring forest fires and the low nutrient content in the ground.

Trapping pit system

A trapping pit system runs through Fälltjärnbäcken nature reserve, extending from Långtjärnen in the south almost all the way up to old Mårdsele village in the north. The system is 3 km long and comprises 55 pits measuring 3 to 5 metres in diameter. Pits have been used to trap animals since the Stone Age. In northern Sweden, trapping pits were mainly used to trap elk and wild reindeer.