Ekered, Naturreservat

The Ekered nature reserve is a damp meadow whose outstanding floral splendor is the result of long-term mowing with a scythe. In early summer, the meadow is colored yellow by large quantities of buttercups. The reserve is also like a peek into history with its many stone walls, farm ruins, cairns and other traces. Some you can see clearly, others are secret without a trained eye.

The reserve up on Hallandsåsen is located within what for many hundreds of years has been the land of the village of the same name; Ekered. The village has a very long history as it has been documented since the 14th century. The name reveals that oak forest was cleared to build the village. During the 1900s, the last farms disappeared and people and nature took over the land.

Flowering meadow

In the center of Ekered's nature reserve is a damp meadow with many beautiful flowers. The buttercup that adorns the reserve in May and June is a popular plant with many names. Ängabollar and smörört are other Halland names for the species. In the past, when the number of meadows and pastures was much greater, butterballs were common throughout the country. Today the species has a northern distribution. In Ekered, buttercups are joined by large quantities of Virgin Mary keys, one of our most common orchids. In August, meadowsweet blooms, attracting beautiful butterflies. Admiral and little blue butterflies are examples of species that appreciate the nectar of meadowsweet. Other late summer plants include meadow thistle and meadow butterfly.

The forest is all around

The small hay meadow is today embedded in woodland, surrounded mainly by swamp forest and oak forest. Previously, the landscape was more open with fields and meadows belonging to Ekered village. Before the storm Gudrun in 2005, there was also a lot of spruce in the reserve as the former fields and meadows were replanted with spruce in the 1960s. The trees were blown down in the storm and no new spruce trees will be planted, but the land will instead be kept open. As it has been for many hundreds of years, to the delight and benefit of people, animals and plants.

Traditional management continues

The meadow in the reserve has long been used as a hayfield. The hay was then used as valuable winter feed for the animals. Traditional management ceased in 1948 but was resumed in the 1990s. Regular haymaking is a prerequisite for the meadow's floral splendor. Without management, the uncompetitive herbs are replaced by tall plants and undergrowth. Eventually a forest would develop where the meadow once flowered.