The Terrestrial Biota
The vegetation of the High Coast displays marked altitudinal zonation and great spatial variability, with high floristic diversity, due to the complex pattern of soils and substrate on an uplifted, high-relief land surface. For example, a full range of forest types is concentrated within a small area, with mature forests on till-capped plateau surfaces above the highest shoreline (285m asl) being particularly noteworthy.
The geological, topographical and climatic conditions also combine to make the High Coast a distinctive vegetation boundary zone, with a rare blend of southern plants with northern Boreal, western oceanic and eastern continental species. There is also intermixing of southern and relict alpine plant species from warmer and colder periods, respectively.
The High Coast's vegetation is typical of west Eurasian taiga, dominated by southern boreal forest, but it shows marked altitudinal zonation and spatial variability, with high floristic diversity, due to the complex pattern of soils and substrate on an uplifted surface of high relief. This includes forests dominated by Norway spruce Picea abies with Scots pine Pinus silvestris on poorer soils, a range of mixed evergreen and deciduous forest types, with mature forests on till-capped plateau tops. 
The topography and climate together make the area a distinct vegetational boundary zone, blending southern, northern boreal, western oceanic, eastern continental and even alpine plant species, relicts of a colder climate (Dingwall, 2000). It has been affected by the constant exposure of new land and by changing temperatures. Some areas such as the National Park, were also almost deforested between 1860 and 1900. The site is the northern limit for some 40 plants, some which are relicts of earlier slightly warmer conditions, including oak Quercus robur, linden Tilia cordata, Norway maple Acer platanoides and hazel Corylus avellana. Such populations are particularly important in some of the lower south-facing slopes where the soil is good, as in the nature reserves of Omneberget and Skuleberget. High on the cliffs, particularly on north-facing slopes, there are a number of alpine plants, including purple saxifrage Saxifraga oppositifolia, tufted saxifrage Saxifraga caespitosa, the fern Polystichum lonchitis and the three-leaved rush Juncus trifidus. Another characteristic plant is the mountain rock-cress Cardaminopsis petraea, which is abundant in this part of Sweden.
Common shoreline species include green algae Cladophora spp., red algae Ceramium tenuicorne and Furcellaria lumbricalis and brown algae Pilayella litoralis as well as Bladder wrack Fuscus vesiculosus. The presence of vascular plants and stoneworts in addition to species present in the outer archipelago and its shoreline, are the fundamental differences between vegetation communities of the mid-archipelago. The occurrence of species such as perfoliate Potamogeton perfoliatus, horned pondweed Zannichellia palustris and water milfoils Myriophyllum spp. is due to the area’s relatively sheltered situation. Stonewort species include bird’s nest stonewort Tolypella nidifica, a species that thrives in brackish water, and coral stonewort Chara tomentosa. Agriculture forms a significant part of the landscape. Other important plant communities occur in lakes, mires and bogs. There is evidence of wheat and barley having been grown in the area some 4,000 years ago when the temperature was some 2-3°C warmer. (Font: UNEP-WCMC). Photo above: the Sea buckthorn in autumn. The berries are an important source of food for migrating birds. Photo Eero Murtamäki © 
The High Coast contains large mammal species, such as bear, lynx and moose, which are widespread in Scandinavia. While the coastal birdlife is typical of the region, the terrestrial birdlife is rich and varied due to the altitudinal range and topographic diversity which also provide habitats attractive to some rare birds of southern origin. Invertebrate fauna is not well known, though insects may be richer than elsewhere because of the floristic diversity, and landscape evolution may have produced some anomalous distributions. (Font: UNESCO)
Terrestrial mammals occurring within the High Coast region include lynx Lynx canadensis, brown bear Ursus arctos, roe deer Capreolus capreolus and elk Alces alces and numerous rodents. The terrestrial birdlife is rich, reflecting the diversity of habitats. The coastal birdlife is typical for the region but offshore islands are of some importance to seabirds. A 1987 survey found 6,000 pairs, of 24 species. Gnäggen Island Nature Reserve is particularly important for nesting guillemots Uria aalge and razorbills Alca torda. Other species include corncrake Crex crex, spotted crake Porzana porzana, red-breasted flycatcher Ficedula parva, nightingale Luscinia megarhynchos, Bohemian waxwing, marsh warbler Achrocephalus palustris and Blyth’s reed warbler Acrocephalus dumetorum. These species are mainly found on the larger islands of the archipelago, such as North and South Ulvön and on the eastern edge of the mainland near the coast. Species found in Skuleskogen National Park within the nominated site include willow grouse Lagopus lagopus, Siberian jay Perisoreus infaustus and rustic bunting Emberiza rustica. All seven of Sweden’s woodpecker species are found here. (Font: UNEP-WCMC)
The regionos terrestrial biota in general, and its plants and vegetation history in particular, have not been extensively studied. However, the terrestrial flora and fauna appear essentially undistinguished in the region overall. They derive their greatest distinction and scientific significance from their connection with the process of land uplift.
(Font: UNESCO - World Heritage Nomination - The High Coast (Sweden) - Addendum to 1999 IUCN Technical Evaluation)