Mysinge, Naturreservat

This part of Stora Alvaret is open, characterized by thin soils and millennia of grazing. In the eastern part of the area is Möckelmossen, well known for its rich bird and insect life.

Species-rich flora

The area north of the road has periodically been ungrazed, which has allowed the juniper bushes to spread. The former grazing between horses, cattle and sheep has created conditions for a great diversity of species. There is an abundance of rock crab, small sand lily, mountain carnation, woolly ranunculus and soapwort. In early summer there are some of Öland's best orchid habitats here. But there are also a number of rare species here, such as honeyflower and small thistle. Alvarmalört and ölandssolvända are examples of endemic species, i.e. plants that only occur on Öland.

Open landscape

The alvar south of the road is well grazed by sheep. This is how most of Stora Alvaret looked until the 1950s. The vegetation is dominated by thin soils of weathering gravel, known as sheep fescue alvar, but there are also rocky areas and wet meadows. The sheep's fescue, and the bow fescue unique to Öland, are abundant. Other species include axveronica, field bindweed, cat's-foot, almond blossom, red clover and St. John's wort.

Lake Fågelsjö

Möckelmossen is Stora Alvaret's largest lake and is home to a rich bird population. The heath pipit with its melancholy whistle is found here. Skylark, curlew, shoveler and pintail are common, and there is a good chance of seeing meadow hawk. In September and October, thousands of cranes come to roost and in winter it is not unusual to see white-tailed eagles in the area. The area around Möckelmossen is also an interesting place for insects. There is a rich butterfly population here, including a couple of endemic small butterfly species.

Ancient monuments

There are remains from ancient times in the area. An exciting example of these is located a few hundred meters south of the alvar road, in the eastern part of the area. Here are the remains of five houses from the Iron Age.

World Heritage Site Southern Öland's cultivated landscape

The agricultural landscape of Southern Öland is included on the UNESCO World Heritage List. The World Heritage Site covers the entire landscape with villages, fields, lakes and Stora Alvaret.

Stora Alvaret, grazing land dating back thousands of years

Stora Alvaret has been characterized by grazing for several thousand years and the purpose of the nature reserves here is to maintain the unique grazing-dependent cultural landscape, vegetation types that are representative of alvar land and to benefit both the typical and the rare plant and animal species that live in these environments. The aim is also to preserve and make visible Stora Alvaret's cultural and historical remains and to facilitate the public's opportunities to experience its natural and cultural values.