Vissbodamon, Naturreservat

The Vissbodamon nature reserve is part of the vast sand field that was deposited next to Hallsbergsåsen, the pebble ridge that lies just east of the reserve. As the area rose out of the sea after the end of the Ice Age, the sand was worked by the wind and large dunes were formed.

Sand dunes

In the southern part of the reserve there is a long, twelve meter high sand dune. There are also several lower dunes shaped like hills. The dry, sandy soil is mostly covered with pine forest and lichens. The creeping stems of the small, delicate linen plant form mats, and together with many different lichens and mosses, it covers the ground surface in drier parts of the area.

Mosippa

Blueberries, hemlocks and lingonberries are abundant in wetter areas. The rare and protected cypress buttercup grows in some places. There is also a small population of the rare marsh marigold. It used to be more common in the reserve but has been outcompeted by moss and bilberry. It requires exposed soil or burnt surfaces for its seeds to germinate. Efforts are now underway to remove moss and burn some areas of the reserve, to expose soil and, if possible, increase the numbers of the mushroom.