Förslag till skötselplan för Uppsala högar och Tunåsen : ett exempel på medbestämmande planering

Abstract: This Master thesis is made at the request of the local municipality of Uppsala in Sweden. The purpose of this work is to create a guiding management plan. Recreation, conservation of the cultivated landscape and the historical environment, conservation biology and the aim of the landowners are all considerd. The area is almost 34 hectares and located north of the centre of Uppsala. Landowners are the National Heritage Board, the diocese of Uppsala, the university of Uppsala, the local municipality of Uppsala and one private landowner. Almost the whole area is included in an ancient monument protection area where three big grave-mounds from 6th century are the main attraction. The landscape is varying with a mixture of open areas and forest. In the area, there is a 30 metres high boulder ridge, called Tunåsen, which conduce to the interesting landscape. During history the area has been influenced by grazing and the area have been almost entirely free from trees. The area has got grand historical, cultural and biological values. The neighbourhood of the town makes the area important for recreation. Due to uncommon dry areas with gravel in slopes the area is an important habitat for different kinds of insects. In the area you can also find forest species of insects like the red-listed species Aromia moschata. The forest is very varying with different ages and characters. The most common tree species is pine (Pinus sylvestris), birch (Betula pendula, Betula pubescens), aspen (Populus tremula) and sallow (Salix caprea). There is also a lot of juniper (Juniperus communis) in many parts of the area. By interviewing landowners and representatives for different groups of interests in the area I got important information to suggest management proposals. During fieldwork I collected data of the area and divided it into subdivisions. I have also made two small literature studies regarding planning of wetlands and grazing. One of the biggest changes, which is proposed in the area, is the reintroduction of grazing. The grazing keeps the landscape well groomed, is good for the biodiversity and become an interesting and beautiful part of the landscape. For areas where grazing is recommended, costs for fences have been calculated. For the areas without grazing management, methods like grass cutting in open areas and cleaning and thinning in forest stands, have been proposed. The aim of the management is to keep up the variations of the landscape and create a mosaic of different kinds of forests and open areas. The management of Tunåsen will make it more interesting to visit and more used for recreation. Other proposed changes are to establish a fireplace, make a restoration of parts of Tunåsen and to restore a wetland. Those measures will increase the recreation values of the area and the wetland will give habitat for a lot of species of plants and animals.