Nygårdsvulkanens kalkbarrskog, Naturreservat

The Nygårdsvulkanen nature reserve is home to lush grove plants such as spring pea and witch hazel, species that are rare in coniferous forests. The fact that they grow in these forests is due to the calcareous bedrock that was formed during a turbulent time in the earth's history when there were active volcanoes in the area.

Trail closed

Due to the amount of fallen trees and dead trees at risk of falling, the trails in the reserve are closed until further notice. If you do visit, be aware that the risk of falling trees is particularly high during strong winds.

Unusual habitat type

Coniferous forest on calcareous soil, limestone coniferous forest, is an unusual habitat type. The fungal flora in limestone coniferous forests in particular is usually special, with elements of many rare species. The reserve's fungal flora is poorly known, but there are several herbs that are favored by lime, including bladderwort, spring pea and witch hazel. Hazel also favors lime and is found in the reserve.

Rare mosses

The forest in the reserve as a whole is just over 100 years old, but many pines are much older. The large pines attract woodpeckers to nest, and the unusual pine thistle grows on the trunks. There is also plenty of dead wood in places. The rare mosses wood bustard and green shield moss grow on rotting spruce logs. Directly on boulders, you can find coarse baron moss and blunt feather moss - two southern species that benefit from the special bedrock.

Volcanoes on the seabed

The calcareous bedrock was formed around 1900 million years ago. At that time, what would become Närke and Bergslagen lay at the bottom of the sea and volcanic activity was intense. Hot magma emerged from the earth's crust and warm water currents brought minerals with them. It was at this time that the iron ores of Bergslagen were formed. Around 50 million years later, volcanic activity slowed down. The magma solidified and was compressed into rock. Nygårdsvulkanen is the remains of a solidified volcano from this time.