Store Vildmose

Store Vildmose

Store Vildmose (Denmark)

Store Vildmose (meaning 'large wild bog') is located in northern Jutland, Vendsyssel, about 20 km north-west of Aalborg. It is a remnant of a peat bog, in large part drained by constructed canals. Some areas are still relatively untouched and give an impression of the original nature of this bog.

The area has both national and international importance, as it presents one of the largest contiguous areas of raised bog in Denmark, home to many rare animals and plants. 1,853 hectares of Store Vildmose is designated for EU habitat, and it is also to be protected as a scientific and archaeological conservation zone.

Store Vildmose is part of the Natura 2000 network.

History

The area was a big lake in the stone age, which eventually dried up and was later cultivated by Iron Age farmers. In the middle ages, climate change had increased precipitation, stimulating the spread of peat moss and turning the area into one of the largest bogs in Europe. As the peat has been dugged up through the ages, various relics and artifacts from the Iron Age have been unearthed.^[1]

Farming

Between 1920-1945, most of the area became farmland, where socalled 'vildmose potatoes' are grown,^[2] considered a culinary speciality of Northern Jutland.^[3] Some of the benefits of potatoes from Store Vildmose, is the fact that the peels are very thin and smooth, that they do not soften easily with cooking and of course their taste. Several species are grown and sold under the name 'vildmose potatoes'.^[4] The potato-growers guild in Store Vildmose consists of six cooperating growers and they are working towards creating a regional- and event-center in one of the old stable farms in the area, through the fund of 'Vildmoseporten' (The Vildmose Gate).^[5]

There is a regional-museeum in the town of Brønderslev by the name of 'Vildmosemuseet', concentrating on the cultural-history of the bog area.

Nature

Store Vildmose is home to many rare and uncommon species, since its habitats are threatened. In the boglands one can find cloudberry, the carnivorous great sundew and a breeding population of corn crake, that have otherwise seen a steep decline in western Europe. The marsh fritillary used to live here, but have not been observed for the last 20 years. Otter also used to roam here and might be establishing again in the near future along with sea lamprey. Both species are to be protected in Denmark.^[6]

References

External links

• Store Vildmose A map of Store Vildmose with proposed hiking trails and points of interest.
• Vildmosemuseet The museums homepage (Danish)

Coordinates: 57°13′26″N 9°46′55″E / 57.22389°N 9.78194°E / 57.22389; 9.78194