August 2019
Butterballs and other native meadow flowers provide a bright pop of colour amidst the oaks and aspens of Västra Harg nature reserve in Östergötland, Sweden. ENVISION researchers pause for a break in a clearing, admiring the many unique mushroom species. There are plenty more than chanterelles in this forest.
ENVISION researchers toured Västra Harg in August 2019 to view the special features of the mixed forest ecosystems in the region, and to begin a conversation with local stakeholders about management issues in the reserve. The impacts of climate change in the form of drought and destructive foraging by wild boars are a few of the key issues affecting the area. Researchers Andra-Ioana Horcea-Milcu and Sara Zaman stayed on in the region, twinning surveys with in-depth interviews to gain a deeper understanding of how different types of values and knowledge can shape conservation outcomes in Östergötland.
