Karkali Strict Nature Reserve, Protected nature reserve in Lohja, Finland
Karkali Strict Nature Reserve is a protected area on a peninsula in Lake Lohjanjärvi where calcium-rich soil supports a distinctive forest community. Linden and hazel trees dominate the landscape, thriving in these special ground conditions.
The area held three houses from the 16th century until 1910 when settlement ceased, and later a villa with hazelnut-gathering paths was added to the landscape. These human structures eventually gave way to protected nature.
The place welcomes visitors while serving as a research site, an unusual approach for strict nature reserves in Finland where public access is often limited. This balance shapes how people experience the natural environment today.
Access comes from Finnish Highway 1 and marked trails guide visitors through the area at their own pace. Plan to spend time exploring the different path options available on the peninsula.
The reserve actively manages spruce forests through selective cutting to protect the native deciduous trees that thrive in calcium-rich soil. This hands-on approach to conservation is less known than the area's scenic qualities.
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