Jotunheimen National Park, Norway
Source: C Bowman, Robert Harding Picture Library
Jotunheimen (Site 55 on Map 9.10) is located in the centre of the Scandinavian Highlands which stretch from Finmark to Stavanger, with its highest summit of 2469 m (Galdkøppigen). The Hurrungane, a mountain range within the region, has become a well-known symbol for the whole of Scandinavia, due to its pinnacles and bizarre mountain-shapes. A large part of the area is covered by glaciers (200 km2) and numerous lakes contribute to its habitat diversity. One of the most beautiful lakes in Scandinavia is the 18 km long and 149 m deep fjord-like Gjende which receives its magnificent turquoise colour from soil particles mostly washed in from glacial rivers. From west to east the region undergoes an extreme climatic gradient. While in the western part close to the coast annual precipitation amounts to 2500 to 3000 mm, the eastern part receives only 250 to 300 mm (250 mm represents the upper limit of extreme aridity). A large number of rare and endangered mountain flowers cover the mountain ridges. The area of Lake Gjende is home to a small moose population which feeds in birch forests. The Utladalen was well known in the past for its numerous bears. Currently, brown bear (Ursus arctos) and wolverine (Gulo gulo) can be observed only sporadically. Lynx (Lynx lynx) appears with a small but permanent population within the region. Arctic fox (Alopex lagopus) and otter (Lutra lutra) are rare, but present. The otter population is thought to have increased in recent years. In the western part, a population of wild reindeer (Rangifer tarendus) occurs, a species that has been replaced by domestic reindeer in the eastern part. The area is frequented by one of the most typical mountain birds of Scandinavia, the purple sandpiper (Calidris maritima), characteristic for its delicate whistle which can be heard mainly at high elevations. The struggle for legal protection status of the region dates back to the beginning of the century. In 1980 a large (1142 km2) area was finally protected as a national park covering a part of the region. Presently, tourism, road construction and power lines diminish the full value of the region. Above all, long-range air pollution is by far the most serious threat to this and other valuable ecosystems in southern and central Scandinavia.
A large part of the area is covered by glaciers (200 km2) and numerous lakes contribute to its habitat diversity. One of the most beautiful lakes in Scandinavia is the 18 km long and 149 m deep fjord-like Gjende which receives its magnificent turquoise colour from soil particles mostly washed in from glacial rivers. From west to east the region undergoes an extreme climatic gradient. While in the western part close to the coast annual precipitation amounts to 2500 to 3000 mm, the eastern part receives only 250 to 300 mm (250 mm represents the upper limit of extreme aridity). A large number of rare and endangered mountain flowers cover the mountain ridges. The area of Lake Gjende is home to a small moose population which feeds in birch forests. The Utladalen was well known in the past for its numerous bears. Currently, brown bear (Ursus arctos) and wolverine (Gulo gulo) can be observed only sporadically. Lynx (Lynx lynx) appears with a small but permanent population within the region. Arctic fox (Alopex lagopus) and otter (Lutra lutra) are rare, but present. The otter population is thought to have increased in recent years. In the western part, a population of wild reindeer (Rangifer tarendus) occurs, a species that has been replaced by domestic reindeer in the eastern part. The area is frequented by one of the most typical mountain birds of Scandinavia, the purple sandpiper (Calidris maritima), characteristic for its delicate whistle which can be heard mainly at high elevations. The struggle for legal protection status of the region dates back to the beginning of the century. In 1980 a large (1142 km2) area was finally protected as a national park covering a part of the region. Presently, tourism, road construction and power lines diminish the full value of the region. Above all, long-range air pollution is by far the most serious threat to this and other valuable ecosystems in southern and central Scandinavia.
A large number of rare and endangered mountain flowers cover the mountain ridges. The area of Lake Gjende is home to a small moose population which feeds in birch forests. The Utladalen was well known in the past for its numerous bears. Currently, brown bear (Ursus arctos) and wolverine (Gulo gulo) can be observed only sporadically. Lynx (Lynx lynx) appears with a small but permanent population within the region. Arctic fox (Alopex lagopus) and otter (Lutra lutra) are rare, but present. The otter population is thought to have increased in recent years. In the western part, a population of wild reindeer (Rangifer tarendus) occurs, a species that has been replaced by domestic reindeer in the eastern part. The area is frequented by one of the most typical mountain birds of Scandinavia, the purple sandpiper (Calidris maritima), characteristic for its delicate whistle which can be heard mainly at high elevations. The struggle for legal protection status of the region dates back to the beginning of the century. In 1980 a large (1142 km2) area was finally protected as a national park covering a part of the region. Presently, tourism, road construction and power lines diminish the full value of the region. Above all, long-range air pollution is by far the most serious threat to this and other valuable ecosystems in southern and central Scandinavia.
The struggle for legal protection status of the region dates back to the beginning of the century. In 1980 a large (1142 km2) area was finally protected as a national park covering a part of the region. Presently, tourism, road construction and power lines diminish the full value of the region. Above all, long-range air pollution is by far the most serious threat to this and other valuable ecosystems in southern and central Scandinavia.