From the mountains in the north to the wetlands in the south, Sweden’s nature is diverse and includes several habitat types. National parks are designated to preserve this diversity and the unique qualities of Sweden’s natural environment.

Mountains

Around 90 percent of the total area of Sweden’s national parks is located in the mountain region. These areas are of great geological and biological value.

Examples of mountain national parks include Abisko where you can find Sweden’s largest mountain lake, Torneträsk. Padjelanta national park is home to some of the richest alpine meadows. Sarek offers one of Europe’s most dramatic and majestic mountain landscapes. Since 1996, it has been part of the Laponia World Heritage Site.

Sea and coastal environments

The national parks that lie in a coastal environment offer a striking contrast. Examples include the towering cliffs of Skuleskogen, the low sandy banks of the Haparanda Archipelago, and the salty rocks and unique underwater life of Kosterhavet.

Cultural landscapes

The biodiversity found in the cultural landscapes is the result of centuries of human land use. Hay meadows, pollarded trees and stone walls have created habitats for many plants and animals. The biodiversity in these landscapes relies on contined human use.

Cultural landscapes are protected in national parks such as Ängsö and Garphyttan.

Lakes and watercourses

Sweden is one of the countries in the world with the most lakes. Lakes and other freshwater environments are found in most national parks. In the national parks Djurö in lake Vänern and Färnebofjärden along the Dalälven River, you’ll find beautiful freshwater habitats.

There are also national rivers that are protected, meaning they cannot be developed – now or in the future. Those are Vindelälven, Torneälv, Kalixälv and Piteälv.

Forests

Coniferous forest dominates Sweden’s natural landscape. In the north, the forest is sparser, with pine trees up to 700 years old in Muddus. Further south, in Norra Kvill, the forest is denser and taller. In Tyresta’s ancient forest, you’ll find centuries-old pines and towering spruces. Both Tyresta and Muddus also show traces of past forest fires.

Deciduous forests containing beech, ash, oak and elm cover less than one percent of Sweden’s land area. These broadleaf forests are a very old habitat type that emerged during a warmer climate period around 6,000 years ago. They are home to many rare species of plants and animals.

Today, noble broadleaf forests are found only south of the Dalälven River – for example, in the national parks Söderåsen, Dalby Söderskog, Stenshuvud and Ängsö.

Wetlands

Around one fifth of Sweden’s land area is covered by wetlands such as bogs, fens and marshes. Many plants and animals are specially adapted to these wet environments, which are also vital for many bird species – such as the Eurasian curlew.

Wetlands can be found in national parks such as Muddus and Store Mosse.