Våtmark, Skinnskatteberg - Färnaleden

Water

Water is a source of life in the forest. Ponds, streams and bogs provide wildlife with drinking water and favorable environments to live in. The water in woodlands can also keep a forest fire at bay to some extent, while water is a prerequisite for all green things to grow. Different areas of land are differently moist, differently fertile and thus also provide different habitats. In short, different trees and plants thrive on different types of soil, with different levels of moisture.

**Ditching

Historically, there have been extensive agricultural and forestry projects that have tried to divert water from certain soils to benefit certain types of trees or crops. While this has been successful in some respects, we now know that a lack of wetlands also has negative effects on biodiversity. Instead, several projects are now being carried out to actively rewet land by plugging these old drainage ditches in forests and fields.

**Coal sequestration

Peat down in the ground slowly breaks down, forming carbon dioxide that can leak into the atmosphere. This is something we want to counteract today in order to meet today's climate goals regarding carbon dioxide emissions. When peat is under water, decomposition is slower. Rewetting peatland has therefore proven to be a cost-effective climate measure that also helps us meet the objectives of the EU Water Framework Directive.

**Water knowledge

Hydrology is the study of water on Earth's land areas - its occurrence, distribution, properties and especially its cycle. Hydrology covers the circulation of water between the oceans, atmosphere and land. Water is both important and complex. Water can be awe-inspiring and water can be wonderful. That's why it's so important that we learn as much as we can about this life-giving water. By the way, did you know that the human body is made up of about 60% water?

**Wetlands along the trail

The Skinnskatteberg-Färna hiking trail passes several beautiful wetlands such as Aspebäcken, Skärsjön, Bladtjärn, Långmossen, Fågelmossen, Norrsjön and Lillsjön. This sign is located on the northwestern edge of the wetland Stormossen. As you can hear from the name, it is one of the larger wetlands in the area and many life forms such as insects, birds and plants thrive here. And not least, we humans thrive here too. That's why we've placed a picnic bench here by the sign so you can sit down for a moment's reflection and enjoy the stillness and simmering life of the wetland.