Knappnäs, Naturreservat

The valuable natural environment at Knappnäs is created by the influence of the Klarälven.

Knappnäs was probably formed by a river breakthrough 300-500 years ago. After the river breakthrough, Knappnäs joined the two original näsen, Stärnäs and Lillängen. These land areas, together with the almost completely cut-off lake Loken, make up the current isthmus.

Parts of the area are flooded annually and sediment accumulates on the southern side of the isthmus. The fluctuations in water level give rise to shore meadows and a deciduous forest with a high species diversity.

The reserve was established to preserve the area's deciduous forests, shore meadows and open sandy areas, as well as the animal and plant species that occur in the area and their habitats. The area is also preserved to protect the surface forms and geological processes that characterize the Klarälvdalen. The area is part of the EU's ecological network of protected areas, Natura 2000.

Animals and plants

The moist deciduous forests of gray alder, beech and various salix species with a rich supply of older trees and dead wood, provide the conditions for a special fauna and flora. The riparian flora and fauna is also rich, with over 200 species of vascular plants, lichens and fungi. The sediments that collect on the isthmus provide access to environments that are important for insects that require free sandy surfaces and for species with a low ability to compete, such as the endangered willowherb.