© Emil Pagstedt Andersson
The old forest in the Djupedal nature reserve is very rich in species - perfect conditions for all kinds of shady life forms. In the narrow and rocky rift valley it is dark and damp.
Dead wood
The valley is only six hundred meters long but is home to a large number of plant and animal species that are rare and in danger of disappearing. The richness can be explained, among other things, by the microclimate that favors many fungi, lichens and mosses. On the sides of the valley grow older coniferous forest and deciduous trees such as aspen, willow and hazel. Further down the valley bottom, the picture is different. Here you will find a species-rich mixed swamp forest with mainly spruce, birch and alder. Dead and dying trees stand and lie among their healthy brethren and offer good habitats for many of the valley's rare species.
Moisture and shade
Since the 1970s, Djupedal has been known for its species-rich moss flora. One of the rarities is the flat leaf moss, a medium-sized, creeping leaf moss that thrives on rotten wood in damp, shady locations. The species is slow to spread, which means that it has high requirements for old and untouched forests. Another small rarity is the green shield moss, which grows almost exclusively on completely decayed stems.
Lichen-rich
Other cryptogams that thrive in the reserve are lichens that grow on trees and dead wood. These include the grayish barnacle lichen and the hanging cat's foot lichen. These species depend on the existence of forests like Djupedal - with long tree continuity and a cool and humid climate with little variation.
Accessibility
Djupedal belongs to level 1 in the county administrative board's leveling of the county's nature reserves, which means that the reserve has a wilderness character and lacks outdoor recreation facilities.
Facts
Municipality: Askersund
Year established: 2009
Area: 29.5 hectares
Landowner: Sveaskog AB
Reserve creator: County Administrative Board
Manager: County Administrative Board
Natura 2000: parts of the area are part of the EU's network of protected nature, SE0240161 Djupedal
Directions
The Djupedal nature reserve is located just over a mile southwest of Askersund and about 5 kilometers north of Olshammar. From Olshammar, drive road 49 north for 3 kilometers, at Aspa, turn left and drive 1 kilometer. At Norrgården, turn right and drive just over 2 kilometers before it is time to turn right. After 500 meters (keep to the right at the next crossroads) you have arrived.
Regulations
In the nature reserve it is not allowed to:
- dig, chop, carve, paint or otherwise damage the earth's surface or solid natural objects,
- drive a motorized vehicle,
- ride a bicycle or horse,
- felling, removing or otherwise damaging dead, standing or fallen trees or bushes
- damage vegetation in general, e.g. by digging up plants such as rice, grass, herbs, mosses or lichens,
- without the permission of the county administrative board, put up a permanent board, sign or poster or make tracks,
- without the county administrative board's permission, use the area for organized competitions or exercises, camp activities or similar,
- without the county administrative board's permission, make fires other than in any designated place.
But it is allowed to:
- pick berries and edible mushrooms for domestic use, but not protected species.