Jonstorp-Vegeåns mynning

Welcome to Jonstorp-Vegeåns mynning Nature Reserve

The Jonstorp-Vegeåns Estuary Nature Reserve is very varied. There are woodlands alongside
grazed coastal meadows and sand dunes. Where the river runs out into the sea, the fresh
water mixes with the salt water, creating the estuary which teems with life. The shallow
Skälderviken Bay stretches out from the shore, with its sandy bottom, eelgrass meadows, mobile sand banks and rich wildlife, including both harbour seals and porpoises.

The diversity in the sea

Within the Reserve, where the sea slowly turns into land, the wide variety of habitats means that many species can find a home. In the shallow water, there are extensive areas of sandy sea bed without any plants, but there are also meadows of eel grass and stony areas with different types of seaweed. The wildlife is abundant – mussels and bristleworms hide in the sand and the eel grass meadows act as a nursery for flat fish and cod. At low tide, the sandy and muddy sea bed is exposed – providing a buffet for the birds along the shore.

The wildlife is rich but sensitive in this varied countryside. This means that we need to show
extra consideration to the wildlife. There are thus special regulations governing what you may and may not do in the Reserve. It is important that visitors follow these regulations.

Sand dunes and grazed coastal meadows

The tall marram grass has an incredible ability to stabilise drifting sand. It can grow through more than a metre of sand in one year and stabilises the sand into dunes, known as white dunes. Further inland, there are older grey dunes with mosses, lichens, shorter grasses and herbs.

The grey dunes then develop into dune heaths with heather and crowberry as the typical species. These nutrient poor coastal areas have been used for grazing for hundreds of years. They were a part of what was once Kulla Fälad; a large communal grazing area which stretched from north Öresund to Skälderviken. Remains of this old common can be found for example at Rönnen and between Jonstorp and Farhult.

Geology in action

The area of shingle and the old strand line were formed when an ancient sea was at a much
higher level than today. The pebbles have been made round and smooth by the waves. The old drift line and wear and tear from ancient waves can be seen today as overgrown terraces on the coastal meadows. The geological processes are still in action. The sand is transformed into new banks, the shores grow and shrink and Sandön and Surkenabben regularly take on new forms.

Regulations

Within Jonstorp-Vegeåns Estuary Nature Reserve it is forbidden to:

• enter or visit areas marked “access prohibited all year round” on the map,
  
• in the period 1st April – 15th August enter or visit areas marked “access prohibited between 1st April -15th August” on the map,
  
• in the period 1st April – 15th July enter or visit areas marked “access prohibited between 1st April -15th July” on the map,
  
• kitesurf or windsurf in areas marked “kitesurf or windsurf forbidden” on the map,
  
• drive vehicles at sea at a speed of more than 7 knots within the area marked “max speed 7 knots” on the map,
  
• drive or launch jet skis, scooters or equivalent vehicles,
  
• take off or land any airborne craft, or fly radio controlled unmanned aircraft (including model aeroplanes) at an altitude of less than 120 metres above sea level, or fly a kite,
  
• bring a dog not on a lead,
  
• organise competitions that may disturb the natural environment,
  
• dig, bore, paint or in any other way damage natural objects or geological formations,
  
• erect any kind of construction/installation or place out any foreign (for the Nature Reserve) objects,
  
• pick whole or parts of plants or fungi for commercial use,
  
• drive or park a vehicle within the land area of the Nature Reserve other than on designated roads or car parks. In this case a road includes public and private metalled roads.
  
• park up caravans, camper vans or equivalent between midnight and 06.00, or camp,
  
• put up signs, posters, plaques, notices or any other equivalent items,
  
• use disposable barbeques, or light a fire other than with wood you have taken with you or with a camping stove at designated places identified by the site manager,
  
• use fireworks or other pyrotechnic items, air, springpiston or paintball guns.
  
  Without permission from the County Administrative Board it is also forbidden to:
  
• catch or collect insects, spiders, snails or other invertebrates other than with nets, by hand or other selective methods, with subsequent re-release within the Nature Reserve. The requirement for re-release does not apply to one-off specimens of each species on the basis that the record is registered in Artportalen (Species Database) and that the collection does not contravene any wildlife protection regulations,
  
• undertake scientific or other types of investigations which may disturb the natural environment.

Map, Jonstorp-Vegeåns mynning Pdf, 1.8 MB, opens in new window.