What are the policies, laws, and entities?
By an act of parliament in 1909 Sarek was designated as a National Park (Sveriges National Parker, n.d.-a).
In 1996 thanks to both the nature and culture in the area Sarek was made a part of the Laponia World Heritage Site (Sveriges National Parker, n.d.-a).
In 2013 reindeer husbandry rights were applied to the entire park (Sveriges National Parker, n.d.-a).
What is the ecosystem?
Sarek is home to many different and beautiful ecosystems (Sarek – Laponia, 2021). Some of these include: old growth forests, birch forests, delta land, mountain moors, glaciers, and mountain massifs (Sarek – Laponia, 2021). All of these different ecosystems are important for Sarek, and the people and animals that call it home.
What are the historical and cultural resources?
There are a few different cultural and historical resources in Sarek including:
Álggavárre: where there is an old chapel and mining remains (Sveriges National Parker, 2025).
Hambergstugorna: which is the best preserved Hamberg cabin (Sveriges National Parker, 2025). Hamberg cabins are related to the Hamberge observatory which are both named after Axel Hamberg who was a Swedish geographer (Earth Data, 2017).
The Hamberg observatory: was completed in 1911 (Sveriges National Parker, 2025).
What wildlife does Sarek have?
Sarek also houses some interesting species of animals. From elk, golden eagles, rough-legged buzzards and merlins, to willow warblers, bramblings, blue-headed wagtails, and bluethroats (Wildlife, 2025). Sarek is alive with animals. Some of the animals that call Sarek National Park home are endangered however. A few of these threatened and endangered species are listed below.
The Lesser White Fronted Goose
Once a fairly common animal the Lesser White Fronted Goose had a dramatic decline (PROJEKT FJÄLLGÅS, 2024). By the 1970s there was only a small part of the Swedish population left (PROJEKT FJÄLLGÅS, 2024).
Snowy Owl
The Snowy Owl is considered vulnerable with declines being linked to climate change (Bird Life, 2024).
Arctic Fox
The Arctic Fox has and is facing major declines (European Commission, 2024). One of the drivers of the Arctic Foxes decline is the increase of Red Foxes in their territories who add to food competition (European Commission, 2024).
Wolf
Despite the already low population of wolves in Sweden the Swedish government is allowing wolf hunting (OBrien, 2025). The minimum wolf population will be moved from 300 wolves to a mere 170 (OBrien, 2025).
what activities can you do in sarek
In Sarek National Park visitors can hike and backpack experiencing the stunning mountains and glaciers (Sveriges National Parker, n.d.-b). Visitors should be aware however that there are no marked trails or overnight accommodations in Sarek, thus visitors do need to have the skills to face and navigate this wilderness (Swedish Tourist Association, 2024).
what issues is sarek facing?
Sarek does have some issues that it must face, some more in the management’s control than others.
One of the major issues in Sarek is climate change. One example of the effects of climate change in Sarek relates to the gyrfalcons which, thanks to global warming, are declining (Word Wildlife Fund, n.d.). Due to warming temperatures Gyrfalcons are having their chicks earlier in the year but the spring rains combined with the cold winds are killing the chicks (Word Wildlife Fund, n.d.).
The affects of climate change are likely to keep harming this park unless work is done to slow global warming. Unfortunetly the control of climate change is not within the power of the managers of Sarek National Park, all they can do is to try to mitigate its affects.
Photos
A, S. (2010b). Rapaselet set from Piellorieppe [Photo]. In Wikimedia Commons. https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=3518865
Iggy . (2018). Lesser white-fronted goose [Photo]. In Wikimedia Commons. https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Oie_Naine_-_Anser_erythropus.jpg
Tilly, B. de . (2011). Snowy owl (Bubo Scandiacus) [Photo]. In Wikimedia Commons. https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Snowy-Owl.1.jpg
Emma. (2011). Arctic fox. [Photo]. In Wikimedia Commons. https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Arctic_fox_(6375702297).jpg
Caninest. (2017). Wolf [Photo]. In Wikimedia Commons. https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Wolf_(4394675343).jpg
