History Of Sweden's National Parks

Sweden has 29 national parks that are owned by the state and managed by the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency. Sweden lies in Northern Europe, and its geography is marked by mountains, lakes and rivers, islands, and coastlines. Some of the most notable of these landforms include the Scandinavian Mountains, the Vattern and Siljan lakes, the Oland and Gotland Islands, and the Eman River. The cause for the establishment of national parks in Sweden was agitated for by conservationists alarmed by the potential effects of industrialization on Sweden’s unique environment. In 1909, Sweden’s parliament approved legislation to establish national parks, with the first one being Sarek National Park. National parks in Sweden enclose the country’s unique landforms, flora and fauna, and natural resources.

Flora And Fauna Of The Four Biggest National Parks In Sweden

Padjelanta National Park

The Padjelanta National Park has been in operation since 1962, and it occupies an area of 198,400 hectares (490,257 acres) in Norrbotten County. The park is part of the Laponian Area, a UNESCO World Heritage Centre, and it is home to three traditional Laplandic villages. The park’s geography is characterized by open plains and the large lakes of Virihávrre and Vastenjávrre. Padjelanta National Park supports populations of reindeer, arctic fox, wolverines, lemmings as well as avifauna and alpine flowers.

Sarek National Park

Sarek National Park also lies in Norrbotten County, and it extends to an area of 197,000 hectares (486,798 acres). It is one of Europe's oldest parks, having been established in 1909. It is renowned for having one of the most spectacular landscapes in Sweden with landforms such as mountains, glaciers, valleys, and plateaus. The most notable of these landforms include the Rapa and Kukkesvagge valleys, the Ivarlako Plateau, and the Sarektjaaka and Piellorieppe Mountains.

Fauna present in the park includes the lynx, elk, wolverines, reindeer, arctic fox, brown bear, lemming, and moose as well as populations of mountain birds. The indigenous Sami people have inhabited the Sarek area for centuries, and the region is also included in the greater Laponian Area.

Kosterhavet National Park

The Kosterhavet National Park occupies an area of 38,878 hectares (96,070 acres) in Västra Götaland County. The marine park was established in 2009, and it is part of the Skagerrak Sea. The park protects water and underwater habitats such as reefs, skerries, and islets as well as the aquafauna present in the park. The 6,000 marine species found in the park include the Norwegian lobster, skuas, crabs, harbor seals, northern prawn, and Arctic terns. The park attracts more than 100,000 tourists annually due to its variety of recreation activities. Kosterhavet National Park is Sweden’s only marine park.

Muddus National Park

Muddus National Park is located in the northern part of Sweden in the province of Lapland, Norrbotten County and it is part of the Municipality of Gällivare. It is also part of untouched UNESCO World Heritage site of Laponian region. It covers an area of 49,340 ha (121,922 acres) and was established in 1942. Within the Park are old grown forests having large trees and deep ravines. The oldest pine tree in Sweden is found within the park and is estimated to more than 700 years old and the tree survived the forest fire in 1413.

Future Prospects Of National Park Development In Sweden

In 2008, the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) gave the proposal to establish 13 more national parks in future. According to the proposition, almost half of the parks were to be established between 2009 and 2013. The first one of these parks was Kosterhavet National Park that was inaugurated in 2009, while the rest were to be established in future without giving the time limits. Sweden has also partnered with organizations such as the World Wild Life Fund (WWF) for better conservational and management efforts of European National Parks.

How Many National Parks Does Sweden Have?