South Swedish highlands
The South Swedish highlands or South Swedish Uplands[1] (Swedish: Sydsvenska höglandet) are a hilly area covering large parts of Götaland in southern Sweden. Except for a lack of deep valleys, the landscape is similar to the Norrland terrain found further north in Sweden.[2] The central-eastern parts of the highlands contain about thirty narrow canyons locally known as skurus.[3]
Much of the highlands lies above 200
History
The South Swedish highlands have been populated since the Nordic Stone Age as evidenced by cist findings.[6] During the Nordic Bronze Age (c. 1700–500 BC) there was a significant agricultural expansion across the highlands. Soils developed on glacial till were cleared, with stones then piled in cairns.[6][7] Other periods of agricultural expansion are the Roman Iron Age and the High Middle Ages (c. 13th century).[7]
Poor soil conditions have posed significant difficulties for agriculture in the highlands, meaning that over time small industries became relatively important in local economies.[6] Many abandoned fields are now covered with forest. Vestiges of abandoned fields can be recognised through the highlands by the characteristic piles of stones made when areas were cleared for cultivation.[6]
Climate and weather events
The climate of the western parts of the highlands is more humid than on the east. This is due to
Temperatures on Tomtabacken, are lower all year round than those of the surrounding area.
In January the mean daily temperature on the summit falls to around -5°C, which is similar to the temperature in
Climate data for Tomtabacken 1931-1990 | |||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) | −2.8 (27.0) |
−2.8 (27.0) |
1.3 (34.3) |
7.5 (45.5) |
13.2 (55.8) |
17.3 (63.1) |
18.5 (65.3) |
17.0 (62.6) |
13.1 (55.6) |
7.6 (45.7) |
1.8 (35.2) |
−1.5 (29.3) |
7.5 (45.5) |
Daily mean °C (°F) | −5.0 (23.0) |
−5.2 (22.6) |
−2.4 (27.7) |
2.4 (36.3) |
8.2 (46.8) |
12.5 (54.5) |
14.0 (57.2) |
12.7 (54.9) |
9.1 (48.4) |
4.9 (40.8) |
0.0 (32.0) |
−3.4 (25.9) |
4.0 (39.2) |
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) | −7.2 (19.0) |
−7.6 (18.3) |
−5.1 (22.8) |
−2.7 (27.1) |
3.2 (37.8) |
7.7 (45.9) |
9.5 (49.1) |
8.6 (47.5) |
5.2 (41.4) |
2.1 (35.8) |
−1.8 (28.8) |
−5.3 (22.5) |
0.5 (32.9) |
Source: [12] |
Climate data for Galtåsen 361 m.a.s.l. (1931-1990) & extremes since 1901 | |||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) | −3.0 (26.6) |
−2.6 (27.3) |
1.9 (35.4) |
7.3 (45.1) |
13.4 (56.1) |
17.3 (63.1) |
17.8 (64.0) |
16.9 (62.4) |
12.6 (54.7) |
7.8 (46.0) |
2.0 (35.6) |
−1.6 (29.1) |
7.5 (45.4) |
Daily mean °C (°F) | −5.5 (22.1) |
−5.5 (22.1) |
−2.4 (27.7) |
1.9 (35.4) |
8.0 (46.4) |
12.1 (53.8) |
13.4 (56.1) |
12.4 (54.3) |
8.3 (46.9) |
4.8 (40.6) |
−0.2 (31.6) |
−3.9 (25.0) |
3.6 (38.5) |
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) | −8.0 (17.6) |
−8.4 (16.9) |
−6.5 (20.3) |
−3.1 (26.4) |
2.8 (37.0) |
6.9 (44.4) |
8.6 (47.5) |
8.0 (46.4) |
4.4 (39.9) |
1.8 (35.2) |
−2.8 (27.0) |
−6.0 (21.2) |
−0.2 (31.6) |
Average precipitation mm (inches) | 75.3 (2.96) |
50.8 (2.00) |
60.5 (2.38) |
62.6 (2.46) |
71.3 (2.81) |
80.7 (3.18) |
109.8 (4.32) |
115.6 (4.55) |
103.2 (4.06) |
78.1 (3.07) |
84.0 (3.31) |
73.4 (2.89) |
964.4 (37.97) |
Source 1: SMHI[13] | |||||||||||||
Source 2: SMHI Monthly Data 2015-2019[14] |
Climate data for Taberg 342 m.a.s.l 2002–2018; extremes since 1901 | |||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) | −0.7 (30.7) |
−0.7 (30.7) |
3.7 (38.7) |
10.1 (50.2) |
15.4 (59.7) |
18.6 (65.5) |
21.0 (69.8) |
19.4 (66.9) |
15.4 (59.7) |
8.9 (48.0) |
4.1 (39.4) |
1.1 (34.0) |
9.5 (49.1) |
Daily mean °C (°F) | −3.6 (25.5) |
−3.2 (26.2) |
−0.5 (31.1) |
4.5 (40.1) |
9.4 (48.9) |
12.8 (55.0) |
15.5 (59.9) |
14.3 (57.7) |
10.8 (51.4) |
5.5 (41.9) |
1.7 (35.1) |
−1.4 (29.5) |
5.5 (41.9) |
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) | −6.1 (21.0) |
−6.1 (21.0) |
−4.8 (23.4) |
−1.1 (30.0) |
3.2 (37.8) |
7.0 (44.6) |
9.9 (49.8) |
9.2 (48.6) |
6.1 (43.0) |
2.1 (35.8) |
−0.7 (30.7) |
−3.8 (25.2) |
1.5 (34.7) |
Source 1: SMHI Average Data 2002–2018[15] | |||||||||||||
Source 2: SMHI Open Data[16] |
The South Swedish highlands are less exposed to storms than the southern and western coasts of Sweden, yet storms can still be very destructive.[8] The 2005 Cyclone Gudrun was particularly strong, causing much damage to forests in the southwestern part of the highlands.[8][17] Spruces were particularly hit by Gudrun, while other trees with a more steady root system fared better.[17] Damage was exacerbated by the planting of spruces and practice of clearcutting, which left many trees exposed to the wind.[17] Gudrun also caused blackouts and disabled telecommunications infrastructure through the highlands.[8][17]
Geology
Within a geological context the highlands are the expression of the South Swedish Dome.
- the crestal and upbroken portions of the Sub-Cambrian peneplain
- the 300 m a.s.l. peneplain[A]
- the 200 m a.s.l. peneplain, containing various inselbergs.[19][B]
- the South Småland peneplain (175–125 m a.s.l.)[C]
- the 100 m a.s.l. surface which is part of the South Småland peneplain
The Late Cenozoic uplift of the dome is tentatively related to far-field compressional stresses that has uplifted the region as a giant anticline-like lithosphere fold. As such it is similar to uplifted passive margins like the Scandinavian Mountains or the mountains of Western and Eastern Greenland.[21]
Last ice age and deglaciation
During the last
At present various lakes in the South Swedish highlands contain planktonic crustacean species that are relics from the time the Weichselian Ice Sheet left the area about 12,000 years ago.[24][23] Lake Sommen stands out for having as much as three glacial relict crustacean species. These species are Pallasea quadrispinosa, Mysis affinis and Limnocalanus macrurus. Yet the lake lacks the most common relict crustacean found in the lakes of southern Sweden, the Mysis relicta.[24]
See also
Notes
- ^ This level was considered as part of a post-Silurian peneplain by Sten Rudberg as it could be matched to hills in Västergötland (Kinnekulle, Halleberg, Hunneberg and Billingen).[1][20] Karna Lidmar-Bergström consider this correlation plausible but the evidence tenuous.[20]
- ^ The existence of this surface was first noted by S. Nordlindh in 1924 in a monograph about hydropower and topography.[20]
- ^ The South Småland peneplain was first noted by Sten De Geer in 1913.[20]
References
- ^ S2CID 134300755.
- Bonniers. pp. 64–67.
- ^ Olvmo, Mats (2006). "Skuruna i Småland". Geologiskt Forum (in Swedish). 50: 8–11. Retrieved April 22, 2019.
- ^ Åkerhielm, Erik (1912). "Sydsvenska höglandet". Geografien i skildingar och bilder (in Swedish). Lund. pp. 49–90. Retrieved June 7, 2015.
{{cite book}}
: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link) - ^ .
- ^ a b c d "Kulturspår på sydsvenska höglandet". Skogskunskap (in Swedish). November 6, 2016. Retrieved May 10, 2019.
- ^ a b Lagerås, Per (2013). "Agrara fluktuationer och befolknings-utveckling på sydsvenska höglandet tolkade utifrån röjningsrösen". Fornvännen (in Swedish). 108 (4): 263–277.
- ^ a b c d e f g h "Smålands klimat". SMHI (in Swedish). January 16, 2018. Retrieved May 10, 2019.
- ^ "4. östra Götalands sprickdals- och eklandskap". Skogliga naturvärdesregioner för södra Sverige [Forest biodiversity regions in southern Sweden] (PDF) (Report) (in Swedish). Södra. 2015. p. 66.
- ^ "Tidiga snöfall i Sverige". Retrieved 2016-02-24.
- ^ "Sena snöfall i Sverige". Retrieved 2016-02-24.
- ^ "SMHI". Archived from the original on 2013-02-13.
- ^ "Försvarsmakten Open Data for Kvarn, Militärområde" (in Swedish). Swedish Meteorological and Hydrological Institute.
- ^ "Monthly and Yearly Statistics" (in Swedish). SMHI. 11 April 2019.
- ^ "Monthly & Yearly Statistics". SMHI. Retrieved 28 June 2019.
- ^ "SMHI öppna data för Huskvarna". SMHI. Retrieved 2019-06-30.
- ^ a b c d "Skogsskador efter Gudrun". SMHI (in Swedish). July 8, 2015. Retrieved May 10, 2019.
- ^ .
- ^ a b Lidmar-Bergström, Karna. "Sydsvenska höglandet". Nationalencyklopedin (in Swedish). Cydonia Development. Retrieved November 30, 2017.
- ^ .
- .
- ISBN 978-91-44-05847-4.
- ^ hdl:1956/11701.
- ^ a b Kinsten, Björn (2010). De glacialrelikta kräftdjurens utbredning i södra Sverige (Götaland och Svealand) (PDF) (Report) (in Swedish). Länsstyrelsen Blekinge län. pp. 1–19. Retrieved April 19, 2019.