Gribby nature reserve

Gribby Nature Reserve consists of an uneven-aged, spruce-dominated natural forest where some trees are very old. Pine is found in places, as are birch, willow and maple. The ground conditions vary between fresh areas, swamp forest sections and larger areas of pine-dominated rocky outcrops. In the northern part, considerably more aspen grows than in the southern part. There are some blocky sections here, which is favourable for aspen. Many of these aspens are thick and affected by rot. Based on older historical maps from the 1700s and 1800s, the hundred map, the economic map from the 1950s and studies of the forest's age and structure during the County Administrative Board's field visit, the area is assessed to have long continuity as tree-covered land. Occasional older stumps suggest previous selective felling. Here and there are old junipers which are signs of former times of forest grazing. The irregularly sparse structure and moderate undergrowth in many places contribute to this picture. At the edge of the rocky outcrops you can find some really old slow-growing spruces that are covered with beard lichens. In the reserve there are two old charcoal kilns which are remains of charcoal makers' huts. Next to one of the kilns it is also possible to discern a charcoal floor, that is, where there has been a charcoal pile. The area has relatively good amounts of naturally formed dead wood in various stages of decomposition, mainly spruce. A noticeable addition of fresh dead wood occurred in some places in the area as a result of Storm Alfrida in 2019. During key biotope surveys, the presence of a number of red-listed species and indicator species has been noted, mainly fungi, lichens and mosses. Among the red-listed species are excellent lichen (EN) and yarn lichen (NT). In total, 13 red-listed species and 38 of the Forest Agency's indicator species have so far been found. Source: Nature Conservation Register (Swedish Environmental Protection Agency) and OpenStreetMap.