Hardangervidda National Park - Norway

Fauna

A primary intention with Hardangervidda National Park was to secure living areas for the stock of wild reindeer ? which is the largest in Europe. On Hardangervidda, wild reindeer are still able to follow their seasonal migration routes relatively unimpeded by obstacles such as roads and snow scooter- tracks. During the winter they are able to graze on lichens not covered by snow, due to strong winds with prevailing direction. The breeding grounds are on the western side of the plateau.
Hardangervidda is also regarded as the southernmost limit for other arctic animals, such as the Arctic Fox and the Snowy Owl, and is well known for its vital populations of Beaver, Elk, and Mountain Trout in the many lakes created during glacial periods. The extensive plateau with its many lakes is also a vital habitat for numerous bird species, such as Grouse, Willow Grouse, Golden Eagle, Snowy Owl, cranes and falcons.



Flora

The alpine climate enables many arctic plants to survive at this rather southern latitude (60 03? 07.19??). Within the boarder of the National Park many arctic plants species have their southernmost limit. The mountain flora is dominated by widespread dwarf shrubs and willows, but wherever the bedrock has some schist (not eroded by the glaciers), which is rich in calcium and magnesium, the alpine flora is very rich in species. This is mostly in the western part where rainfall is high due to the western winds from the Atlantic Ocean.