Description
The area is a peninsula which is partly isolated from Mörkö. Kålsö is, apart from a hill in the centre that is covered with coniferous forest, also wooded with broad-leafed trees and some immigated spruce mixed in. Oak is the most common tree species but there is also plenty of lime, ash and maple. Bushes grow rather sparsely. Where the broad-leafed wood ends, beautiful pastures begin. There is a luxuriant and rich herbal flora in the groves including broad-leaved sermountain, woodruff, lungwort, coralroot, wonder violet, black bitter vetch, toothwort, northern wood stitchwort, wood melick and giant fescue.
The vegetational history of the area is well documented and therefore the area has a scientific value. The lichen flora is diverse with many rare and redlisted species. In the deciduous woods and in the groves and pastures there’s a rich birdlife. There are probably plenty of small mammals, like bats and evertebrates as well. The isolated location of Kålsö means beneficial conditions for species that are easily disturbed. Boviken, which is a cut off sea bay, is also located within the nature reserve borders. On the seabed grows plenty of the otherwise rare spiny naiad.
Accessibility
There is a small parking area for cars by the public road south of the farm Löten.There are no cleared or marked footpaths in the reserve. There is no public transport to the area.
The purpose of the reserve:
To preserve the deciduous- and broad-leafed forest and the pastures and seashore meadows with their rich and unusual flora and fauna.
Decree: The County Administrative Board, November 10, 1992.
The Swedish Government has also designated Kålsö as a Natura 2000-area.
Acreage: 199 hectare of which 53 hectare is water.
Conservation manager: The County Administrative Board.
Restrictions for the public:
Besides regulations and prohibitions in laws and constitutions it is not allowed to:
- Destroy or damage permanent natural objects or configurations by drilling, picking, blasting, carving, painting or similar.
- Break twigs or branches, cut down or in other ways damage living or dead trees or bushes or to damage other vegetation by digging up twigs, herbs, grass, moss or lichens.
- Disturb the wildlife (for example by climbing trees, stay close to barrows, capture or kill mammals, birds, reptiles or amphibians).
- Bring unleashed dog, cat or other pet.
- Moor or anchor a boat for longer time than two full days on the same location.
- Have a tent set up for more than two full days on the same location.
- Arrange an orienteering contest or similar.
- Ride.
- Operate a motorised vehicle.
- Catch fish at Boviken bay between April 1:st and July 31:st.
- Make fire.
