Träd och buskar i naturreservatet Steneryd

: en studie av nuläget, förändringar och påverkan från trädskadegörare

Abstract

The trees and shrubs of the cultivated landscape, not least the pollarded trees, are important for biodiversity. The Steneryd nature reserve in southeastern Blekinge encompasses a well-preserved cultivated landscape from the late 19th century. The area is dominated by wooded meadows, and a tree and shrub layer that consists of several hundred pollarded ash, lime, and elm trees, a few scattered pasture oaks, as well as several fruit-bearing trees and shrubs.
The purpose of this study is to inventory the tree and shrub layer in the Steneryd nature reserve and to investigate what changes have occurred in its tree layer since the 1960s. The study also aims to examine how Dutch elm disease and ash dieback have affected the tree layer, as well as what management measures have been taken in response. The study is based primarily on a field inventory with subsequent data processing, but also includes literature reviews and an interview.
The inventory shows that the tree and shrub layer is dominated by lime and ash, and the shrub layer by hazel. A large amount of shrubbery in certain parts of the study area is considered to indicate ongoing overgrowth. The tree layer of the nature reserve has undergone significant changes since the 1960s: the number of trees has decreased, the species composition has shifted, and the proportion of pollarded trees has increased. These changes are the result of both natural factors and management efforts.
Dutch elm disease and ash dieback have had a major impact on the tree layer in recent years. A large number om elms and ash trees have died. Unfortunately, these tree pathogens threaten not only the two tree species themselves, but also all the natural and cultural values associated with them. The management measures taken are in line with national recommendations, but this largely passive approach may, in the long term, risk the conservation values of the area.

Date of Award	2025-Jun
Original language	Swedish
Supervisor	Joachim Regnéll (Supervisor) & Johan Elmberg (Examiner)