Fejmån, Naturreservat

One mil outside Sälen, along the Fejmån River, lies this nature reserve, which consists of a beautiful, pine-dominated natural forest.

Here, the smoke dance fly dances in a fire-scarred forest

The forest has been ravaged on numerous occasions by a force of nature that Swedish nature rarely encounters in modern times: fire. Fire has always been a natural part of our ecosystems, but is largely absent today since most natural fires are extinguished immediately. This has led to a decline in the numbers and range of many species adapted to fire-affected environments, including plants such as the fireweed and insects such as the smoke dance fly and the soot-black jewel beetle. All of these are now listed on Sweden’s Red List of Threatened Species, which is why it is important to protect fire-influenced environments.

A Beautiful Trail Along the River

Along the river itself, the forest is dominated by spruce with a good mix of deciduous trees. There are abundant occurrences of hanging lichens, which is a sign of a forest with high natural value. The species richness is remarkable and of great importance for Red Listed and other threatened species. A trail that is ideal for a peaceful nature walk runs through the entire reserve. Fishing is permitted in the Fejmån Nature Reserve.

Mountain Pasture Farming at Vålbrändan Has Shaped the Forest

North of the reserve lies the Vålbrändan mountain pasture, and the surrounding pastureland shows signs of long-term and recurring livestock grazing. Other interesting traces of the mountain pasture can also be found in the area in the form of carvings on trees, made in connection with herding in the area.