Åbjär, Naturreservat

In Åbjär there are two hiking trails that start at the parking lot and initially run together. The reserve offers the hiker varied terrain with Mjöån in the center, which flows through swamp forest and between steep mountain ridges. Many species of mosses, lichens and fungi thrive in the moist environment. The rich insect fauna in turn attracts a variety of small birds and woodpeckers.

Traces from the Iron Age

The reserve contains traces of people who lived here several thousand years ago. There are both remains in the form of burial mounds and clearance cairns from ancient arable farming. In the south there is a fossil old field of about 450x150 meters. It consists of stone-cleared areas with 50 stone cairns, so-called clearing cairns. Some cairns are up to 5 meters in diameter and about 0.5 meters high.

From pasture to beech forest

For a long time, livestock farming was the most important industry here in the borderland between agricultural and forest areas. Since the grazing animals disappeared, the beech forest has spread. Along the Mjöån river, which flows through the reserve, there is swamp forest consisting mainly of alder.

Mjöån's wildlife

Mjöån is one of the tributaries of the Helge å water system. It has for the most part retained its original meandering flow. The river's natural value is very high and its clean waters are home to many species of fish and insects. Fish such as trout and minnow provide conditions for the endangered thick-shelled mussel to reproduce and spread. The larvae of the mussel live as parasites on the gills of fish. After a few months, they develop into millimeter-sized mussels that fall off and bury themselves in the river bottom where they remain for a few years. The thick-shelled mussel has been shown to live to be around 90 years old.

Species around Mjöån

Many species of mosses, lichens and fungi thrive in the damp environment around Mjöån. On the difficult-to-access slopes, landslides cause trees to fall and remain lying. These dead trees provide a habitat for many rare fungi, lichens, mosses and not least insects. Among the real rarities of the area is the red-eyed moth, a species of beetle whose larvae live in rough, rotting beech stumps.

The rich insect fauna in turn attracts a variety of small birds and woodpeckers. In and around the Mjöån river, you can spot white-tailed godwits and common terns.

Outdoor life

In Åbjär there are two hiking trails, a yellow one (about 2.5 km) in the northern part of the reserve and a blue one (about 3 km) in the south. The trails start at the parking lot and initially go together. At the stairs the trails separate. The yellow trail continues down the stairs. Down here there is a rest area with a fireplace. Remember to bring charcoal if you are going to grill and to take your trash home. If you continue the yellow trail north, there is another rest area with bench tables next to Mjöån. If you choose the blue trail instead, you go past the stairs and over a footbridge and continue the hike south. Here you pass the fossilized old field with its 50 clearing cairns.

In English

Welcome to Åbjär Nature Reserve

Walkers visiting Åbjär Nature Reserve discover a varied terrain with the River Mjöån ravine running through the center. There are interesting footpaths through the beech woodland and along the river. The River Mjöån runs through wet woodland and between steep ravine walls.

From grazing to woodland

Here in the boundary between farmland and woodland, livestock farming has long been the most important source of income. The beech woodland has spread out since the grazing animals disappeared.

Healthy water and healthy fish

The River Mjöån is one of the tributaries of the River Helge water system. It has virtually retained its original, meandering course. The nature conservation value of the River is high and many fish and insect species live in the clean water. Fish such as brown trout and common minnow provide the conditions for the threatened thick-shelled river mussel to breed and disperse.

Scree, life and death

In the humid environment around the River Mjöån, many species of mosses, lichens and fungi thrive. On the inaccessible steep slopes, the scree, trees that fall are left lying. These dead trees are a habitat for many rare fungi, lichens and mosses but not least insects. Small birds feed on the insects.

Regulations

Within Åbjär Nature Reserve it is forbidden to:

• Blast, dig up, bore, paint or damage in anyother way natural structures or formations,
• Put up signs, plaques, notices, posters or make inscriptions,
• Erect any kind of installation or put up any foreign (for the nature reserve) objects,
• Use disposable barbeques,
• Make a fire,
• Take away wood, break branches, fell or in any other way damage living or dead standing or lying trees,
• Drive motor vehicles on the roads within the nature reserve.

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

• Collect mosses, lichens or wood-living fungi,
• Catch and take away insects or other animals with traps which result in death, or in any other way injure wildlife or their habitats.