Kristianstad Vattenrike Biosphere Reserve
|
Country |
Sweden |
|
Region/Province/ or State |
Skåne |
|
Web Address |
https://vattenriket.kristianstad.se |
|
Date Founded |
2005 |
|
Size (hectares) |
104,375 |
|
Distinguishing Features |
lower drainage basin of the River Helge å in the Municipality of Kristianstad and the coastal waters of Hanöbukten Bay, which forms part of the Baltic Sea. |
|
Main Industries (in terms of employment) |
hunting, fishery, tourism, agriculture, silviculture, industry |
Kristianstads Vattenrike covers an area some 35 x 35 km in size that includes a variety of natural environments. The River Helge å flows through the landscape into the Baltic Sea, though wetlands and seasonally flooded grasslands, past leafy forests and sandy arable land. These diverse natural habitats are home to a wide range of animals and plants.
The naturum Vattenriket visitor centre has informative displays and nature interpreters to tell you about the birds, fishes and insects that are characteristic of the area. You can also take part in a variety of fascinating activities here, or simply relax with coffee and cakes and enjoy the view.
From the visitor centre it’s easy to get to the 21 designated visitor sites in Kristianstads Vattenrike. The sites’ information boards, boardwalks and birdwatching towers enable you to enjoy what nature has to offer in all sorts of ways all year round. There are also opportunities for swimming, hiking, birdwatching and barbecuing in the open air.
In 2005 Kristianstads Vattenrike was awarded biosphere reserve status. Since then it has served as a model for sustainable development under the motto “Benefiting nature and people”. There are some 600 biosphere reserves worldwide. Kristianstads Vattenrike is the oldest of the five biosphere reserves in Sweden.