The project was initiated in May of 2021 with a controlled burn. This was done in collaboration with Avesta municipality and the emergency services of Södra Dalarna.
-Controlled burns are intended to benefit the area’s biodiversity and are one of several important means of maintaining high natural value, explains Fortum Environmental Coordinator Katarina Erelöf. In this case it was also necessary to investigate what species are found in the area. We could now inventory eight areas within the burned surface and the same number within a control area.
Several threatened species such as broad-leaved thyme and blue bugle were found in the test areas. Interesting plants typical in dry environments such as sand or lime-rich soils were also found. Examples include maiden pink, bloody crane's-bill, Nottingham catchfly, spear thistle, and garden burnet.
The inventory revealed abundant growth of species including field scabious, brown knapweed, common bird's-foot trefoil, creeping thistle, along with sporadic growth of harebell and mouse-ear hawkweed. All these plants have special significance to wild bee and butterfly populations.