Björkerödsbäcken, Naturreservat

For those who do not shy away from unpaved paths, the Björkerödsbäcken reserve offers many fine experiences. A deciduous forest with hornbeam, maple, oak and beech that is open and accessible. It also lets in a lot of light, which rewards the hiker with a species-rich environment. The stream itself has a natural and slow course and is rich in trout.

Forest with many ancient monuments

Ever since the Bronze Age, the land in Björkeröd has been used by people. The many clearance cairns and stone fences are reminders of old farmland. Over the past hundred years, trees have begun to take over. The deciduous forest is now left alone and the reserve will develop into a natural forest with broadleaf trees.

The deciduous forest

The deciduous forest consists mostly of beech, hornbeam, maple and oak with undergrowth of hazel and hawthorn. Birch, alder and ash grow in the damp areas. There are traces of wild boar browsing everywhere, to the benefit of the beech regeneration. The deciduous forest lets in a lot of light before the leaves burst, so the ground flora is rich in species.

Björkerödsbäcken

In the reserve, Björkerödsbäcken still has its natural, calm course. During the spring it floods and floodplains form in several places, including around the tributaries. In summer the stream can dry out but it retains water in deep pools where fish and other aquatic animals can survive. The stream has a good population of trout.

Outdoor recreation

The car road passes through the reserve, as does a path in the southernmost part of the area. There is a small parking lot, but outdoor recreation facilities in general are lacking. Remember to take your rubbish home.

In English

Welcome to Björkeröds bäcken Nature Reserve

In Björkerödsbäcken Nature Reserve you walk on untrodden paths. In the reserve, there is mature beech woodland which is open and easily accessible. The ground around the streams is damp with dense vegetation.

From farmland to old growth woodland

The land in Björkeröd has been used by man since as far back as the Bronze Age. The many clearance cairns and stone walls remind us of historic cultivation. Trees began to take over some hundred years ago. The woodland is now left in peace and the reserve will be left to develop into old growth woodland with broadleaved trees.

Trees and flowers

The broadleaved woodland mainly contains beech, hornbeam, norway maple and oak with a bush layer including hazel and hawthorn. Birch, alder and ash grown in the wetter patches. Everywhere you can see where the wild boar have been rooting around, which favors beech regeneration. The woodland lets in lots of light before the leaves come out, so the ground flora is very species rich.

Spring floods and summer droughts

Within the Nature Reserve, the Björkerödsbäcken stream still runs its natural, unhurried course. During the spring, the water rises and creates flooded areas in several places, including around the tributaries. In the summer, the stream can dry out, but retains water in deep hollows where the fish and other aquatic animals can survive. There is a healthy population of brown trout in the stream.

Regulations

Within Björkerödsbäcken Nature Reserve it is forbidden to:

• crack, dig, bore, paint or in any other way damage natural features or geological formations,
• put up signs, posters, plaques, notices or make any inscriptions,
• erect any kind of installation or put out any foreign (for the nature reserve) object,
• use disposable barbeques,
• light a fire,
• take wood, break branches, fell or in any other way damage living or dead trees and bushes,

Without permission from the County Administrative Board, it is also forbidden to:

• collect mosses, lichens or wood-living fungi,
• trap and take away insects or other animals with traps which results in death, or in any other way injure Månviol (Lunaria rediviva) wildlife or their habitats.