UNESCO/Toson-Khulstai Biosphere Reserve
Kristianstad Vattenrike
General information
Kristianstads Vattenrike is located in Skåne, the southernmost of Sweden’s provinces. The area includes the lower drainage basin of the River Helge å and the coastal waters of Hanöbukten Bay, which is part of the Baltic Sea.
Detailed information
Key data
Year of nomination
2005
Country
Sweden
Total population
75790
Area
Surface
104,376.00 ha
Total terresterial area
90,515.00 ha
Total Marine area
13,860.00 ha
Location
Latitiude: 55.981 - Longitude: 14.1101
Contact
Ecological Characteristics
The Biosphere Reserve is in Skåne, the southern most of Swedens provinces.The area includes the 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.It covers 100 000 ha and contains within its boundaries landscapes and biological values of regional, national and international importance.At the heart of the entire area, extending north to south, is an expanse of rich wetlands of international importance (The Helgeån Ramsar Site). Other examples of biotopes that are classified as possessing high biological values of international and national importance include stretches of running water, broadleaf forests and the sandy grasslands formerly managed under a rotational system of cultivation and falllow.Within all of these landscapes and ecosystems there are areas af varying extent wich possess such high values that they form a part of the European Union's Natura 2000 network. There are also about 15 nature reserves here.
Socio-Economics Characteristics
To make more acess for visitors we have created more than 20 visitor sites in the reserve. Some have birdwatching towers, other have boardwalks or outdoor museums.