Moen Biosphere

The municipality of Vordingborg is situated in south east Denmark and is home for Møn UNESCO Biosfære and UNESCO World Heritage Møns Klint. 

Moen (Møn) biosphere reserve comprises a series of islands and islets in the southern Baltic Sea. Its landscapes include woodlands, grasslands, pastures, wetlands, coastal areas, ponds and steep hills. The biosphere reserve includes a number of small villages, scattered farms and residential areas. The main activities are trade, agriculture, fisheries and tourism.

Ecological Characteristics

Since the last ice released its grip on the area, post-glacial processes have modelled the landscape in the area. Elevated sea floor and beach ridges are characteristic landscape features. A combination of isostatic land rise after the last glaciation, and marine erosion and sediment transport from the coast further east, has shaped the landscape around Ulvshale and Nyord. 

The sea surrounding the biosphere area varies from brackish water in the west to more saline water in the east. The marine part of the biosphere area includes habitats such as coastal lagoons and stone reefs, as well as features such as mudflats and sand flats exposed at low tide. A variety of rare plants can be found, with up to 18 orchid species, red-listed birds such as the peregrine falcon and the red kite, and not less than 112 red-listed species of fungi, of which 11 species have not been found elsewhere in Denmark.

Socio-Economics Characteristics

The biosphere reserve is part of the Municipality of Vordingborg. The population is broadly composed of Danes, immigrants from EU countries and a small group of people from non‑western countries. The language spoken is Danish, with local dialects. Cultural heritage is cherished and protected, including 119 preserved megalithic tombs dating to prehistoric Denmark. Among the more than 60 megalithic tombs known only in the western part of Møn, three are of national importance: the passage graves Klekkende Høj and Kong Asgers Høj, and the long barrow Grønsalen. Medieval heritage is preserved in Møn’s churches, decorated with unique frescoes, and in the market town of Stege, with its ancient city gate, ramparts and church.

Danish partners

The Nordic Nature Network  is led by Møn UNESCO Biosphere assisted by Mads Randbøll Wolff, Sustainability 2030 and Nikolaj Sveistrup, Urban Agenda in Denmark.

Mads Randbøll Wolff, Sustainability 2030

About...

Nikolaj Sveistrup, Urban Agenda in Denmark

Urban Agenda is an initiative by Nikolaj Sveistrup, focusing on urban development, strategic governance, and urban foresight.

The organisation provides advisory services, facilitation, and new approaches to agenda-setting processes related to cities and municipalities. This includes moderating, planning, and contributing to discussions, workshops, and strategic dialogues.

Urban Agenda also leads and supports projects across municipalities and urban stakeholders, with a focus on developing and testing new methods for sustainable action and development.