Lohärads prästgårds nature reserve

The nature reserve covers 15 hectares and is situated adjacent to the agricultural and cultural landscape surrounding Lohärad Church, south of Lake Erken. The area consists of open or semi-open previously grazed pastures and deciduous forest or deciduous-dominated woodland. Several large oak trees grow scattered throughout the area. The tree layer is otherwise dominated by aspen and birch with elements of ash, maple, rowan, elm and willow. Adjacent to the wetland around Lake Eksjon, alder swamp forest grows, and in the elevated areas in the west there are larger areas of older spruce and occasional pine. Hazel dominates the shrub layer throughout the area. The amount of dead wood is substantial in places. The open areas that are now in an overgrowth phase following the cessation of grazing are dominated by tall broad-leaved grass types with elements of moose grass and thistles, but centrally in the area there are sections of leaner meadow slopes where remnants of grazing-favoured flora are found. The area's grazing history, presence of limestone and variation have created high nature values and provide conditions for diverse plant and animal life. This applies particularly to the insect fauna, which contains many demanding species, but also to the flora with several nature conservation-worthy fungi and lichens associated with noble deciduous trees and hazel. The area also harbours a rich nesting bird fauna, and the surrounding old buildings combined with old hollow trees and abundance of glades and insects create good conditions for the region's bats. Source: Nature Conservation Register (Swedish Environmental Protection Agency) and OpenStreetMap.