NATURMINNENS FÖRVALTNING OCH SKYDD: Inventering i Västra Götaland

Abstract

Natural monuments are natural objects with special protection due to their high natural value or cultural significance. The natural value is determined by the occurrence of signal species found on and near the natural monument. The law surrounding natural monuments has evolved a lot since the first ones were declared, and today the title natural monument can be replaced with the title tree with high conservation value. The title has come later and can sometimes overlap natural monument. Some natural monuments lack the qualities required to be classified as a natural monument or a tree with high conservation value, but have a cultural importance. These can instead be classified as a biological cultural heritage. In this study, I have obtained an inventory of 30 natural monument trees around Västra Götaland. The inventory answers how well these are taken care of based on what can be assumed from their condition. During the inventory, it was noted if the object remained, whether it was marked with a sign, shading and its natural value class based on the presence of signal species. All data from the inventories was collected in field documents and an inventory log containing pictures of the objects. Based on the collected data, a χ2-test was made from the number of signal species found per natural monument and degree of shade, to investigate the effect of shading from surrounding fauna. The results showed no significant correlation between the degree of shading and the number of signal species found.