Tyresta National Park

Tyresta National Park
Tyresta nationalpark
IUCN category II (national park)

Lake Stensjön
Location Stockholm County, Sweden
Coordinates 59°11′N 18°18′E / 59.183°N 18.300°E / 59.183; 18.300Coordinates: 59°11′N 18°18′E / 59.183°N 18.300°E / 59.183; 18.300
Area 20 km2 (7.7 sq mi)[1]
Established 1993[1]
Governing body Naturvårdsverket

Tyresta National Park (Swedish: Tyresta nationalpark) is a national park with a surrounding nature reserve in Sweden, located in Haninge and Tyresö municipalities in Stockholm County.

Geography

About 20 km (12 mi) from central Stockholm are the Tyresta National Park and Nature Reserve. The area is characterised by a rift valley landscape which is typical for central Sweden but unique in an international perspective. The national park has an area of 19.7 km2 (7.6 sq mi), and the surrounding nature reserve 27 km2 (10 sq mi), making the total protected area about 47 km2 (18 sq mi). It has been protected to preserve its noted natural values, e.g. one of the largest sections of untouched forest in southern Sweden,[2] and to safeguard its importance for recreation.

Lakes and dams

The following lakes and dams are located within Tyresta National Park:

Plants and animals

The park and reserve are notable for containing one of the largest coniferous old-growth forests in southern Sweden,[2] with some parts of the forest containing pine trees up to 400 years old.[3]

The park also has deciduous broadleaf forests, open arable land and historical buildings of cultural interest. A typical feature of primeval forest is the great number of plant and animal species. Up to 8.000 species of animals can be found here which is four times as many as in managed forests. Many species are also completely dependent on primeval forest as their habitats and can not survive under other conditions.

Fire

In August 1999, about 10% of the national park area was consumed in a large fire. Although the cause of the fire remains unknown, the hot and dry conditions in the area at the time were quite optimal for a forest fire to start.[4]

References

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