The vegetation in Björnekullakärret differs from other parts of the national park. The bog is about five hectares in size and is home to many rare and endangered species, including several different orchids, rich-fen mosses and the tiny snail Vertigo geyeri.

How to get to Björnekullakärret

Björnekullakärret is located in the southernmost part of Store Mosse National Park.

For example, you can park in Andersberg. From there, a hiking trail leads down to the fen. There is a footbridge over the bog, so you can visit the fen without needing boots.

Nutrient-poor but calcium-rich

Rich-fens are a special type of habitat with very high natural values. They are not nutrient-rich as you might think, but are just like most fen environments, on the contrary, nutrient-poor. The reason they are called "rich" is that they are often rich in lime, or rich in other minerals. The tough conditions mean that only certain species are able to live in a rich-fen.

Rich-fens are an endangered habitat type because in many cases they are dependent on management through mowing or grazing. In many places, drainage has caused the fens to dry out. Rich-fens are a rare habitat type throughout the country and in Jönköping County they are now only found in a few places. The Swedish Environmental Protection Agency (Naturvårdsverket) has therefore developed an action program for rich marshes. It contains proposals for measures that will help improve the conditions for rich-fens. The County Administrative Board (Länsstyrelsen) is working to try to restore and manage the county's more than 60 rich-fens so that the high natural values are not lost.