Ever since the bedrock of the Geopark formed 1.5 billion years ago, the landscape has been in constant change. Ice ages, volcanoes and continental drift have left their marks, shaping the types of rocks and minerals, as well as the soil we can find in the Geopark’s areas. The rich geological history has led to a multitude of different environments, and lays the foundation for a rich variety of plants, in the shapes of forests, meadows, land suited for farming and more. 

 

The last ice age has made a large impact on the Geopark we see today, as it left large amounts of debris and substrate as the ice retreated. In addition the glaciers pressed the landmasses downwards due to its enormous weight. This led to the sea level being 200 meters higher during and after the ice age, than the sea level we see today. This means that large parts of the Geopark were ocean floor in the past, leading to sedimentation of marine clay and organic material. After the land masses lifted again, this marine clay turned into soil with large amounts of nutrients, well suited for farming. Volcanic rocks are also packed with nutrients that get released to the plants as it’s broken down.

 

Like all other organisms, plants have different environmental requirements that need to be met if they are to survive. For example, different plants have different tolerance for pH and temperature, and different needs for moisture and light level. Some thrive in dense vegetation with competition, while others want spacious areas. Due to these different requirements, we get restricted areas with differing species compositions, like spruce forests, birch forests and forest fields. 

 

In addition to the rocks and soil the plants grow on, the weather is a deciding factor. Exposed areas, like the coast, are heavily exposed to wind and salt spray from the ocean, meaning only hardened species manage to establish here. Among these are pine, but also the sitka spruce. The sitka spruce is a blacklisted tree species that was planted along the Norwegian coast, and has since spread more than anticipated. Further into the Geopark, in less exposed areas, we can find different species that thrive in more protected areas with less impact from the wind.

 

In Larvik, we can find Norway’s biggest beech forest, with an area of 293 decares. This forest is currently used as a recreational area for walks and events. Beech is a species that thrive in calcareous and well drained soil. Due to the thick canopy of the beech forest, the ground is subject to low light levels, making them relatively poor in biodiversity. Here in the Geopark, the beech forest grows on soil deposited by the Ra moraine, which is well suited for this species’ growth requirements. In 1884, the beech-forest in Larvik was transferred to the government by the landowner Fritz Treschow, so that the forest could benefit the people of Larvik. This is seen as the first public nature protection in Norway.

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