Ravinerna vid Apertin, Naturreservat

In the Apertin stream ravines, you can walk among stately deciduous trees and bouquets of hazel and ferns. The Apertin ravines were set aside as a nature reserve back in 1936, becoming the county's first protected area.

The ravines at Apertin were formed when the ice sheet gave way and meltwater from the ice transported fine-grained material such as moss and flour. This was deposited as a thick layer of fine-grained soils in the area. Over time, small streams have cut through the layers of soil, creating steep, v-shaped stream gullies. Down in the ravines, the climate is humid. Rich soil and a sheltered location create conditions for lush vegetation.

In 1991, the area was converted into a nature reserve. The purpose of the reserve is to preserve and promote a well-formed stream ravine area with natural forest, dominated by broadleaf trees. The aim is also to preserve a rich grove flora and a rich bird life, while the area is adapted for public visits.

Animals and plants

The nature reserve has a great diversity of species in terms of both plants and animals. The trees are of varying size and age. Deciduous trees such as ash, oak, horse chestnut, maple and lime dominate. Branches and twigs stretch in different directions to reach the sunlight. In summer, they form the backbone of a green roof over a grove-like forest environment. The lush character is enhanced by a well-developed shrub layer with species such as hazel, elderberry, yew, cranberry and red currant. The rich environment favors herbs with high demands on moisture and nutrition. Here are grove plants such as ferns, magic grape and stinkweed. The ostrich fern is a fern that gets its name from the fact that its leaves grow in ostrich-like rosettes. It spreads in large stands in the ravine bottom and is something of a character species for the area.

There is also plenty of decaying wood in the ravine. Lichen and decomposers such as fungi and insects thrive there. Many species of birds live under the protective canopy, such as the green warbler, stone curlew, wood pigeon and wren, as well as the woodpeckers greenfinch, great spotted woodpecker and lesser spotted woodpecker.

Culture

Apertin Manor with its surrounding buildings, park and avenue is protected as a listed building under the Cultural Heritage Act. The manor house was built in the middle of the 17th century but acquired its current appearance in the latter part of the 18th century.

Remember to respect the privacy zone around the manor.