Helsinki-Espoo wetlands (1302)
Finland, Europe
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2025
National site name: Helsingin-Espoon kosteikot
Central coordinates: Latitude: 60.2000, Longitude: 24.9333
System: terrestrial, marine
Elevation (m): 0 to 0
Area of KBA (km2): 13.88675
Protected area coverage (%): 48.67
KBA classification: Regional
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: The site includes two shallow, sea bays, dominated by reed <I>Phragmites</I>, and a largish area of adjacent farmland, situated close to Helsinki. The farmland of Viikki is separated from Vanhankaupunginlahti by a narrow zone of young, wet, deciduous forest and by some older mixed forest.</P>
Rationale for qualifying as KBA: An important breeding and staging area for wetland birds. The site also supports one of the largest national populations of a breeding bird new to Finland, <I>Panurus biarmicus </I>(65 pairs).</P>
Manageability of the site: Site identified based on BirdLife International's Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas, under which manageability is strongly recommended but not explicitly documented
Habitats
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Forest | 10 | |
| Artificial - Terrestrial | 30 | |
| Marine Coastal/Supratidal | 60 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: The entire area suffers from considerable human impact. All parts of Viikki are cultivated, and recreational activities, especially hiking and birdwatching, are common. Housing development and road construction plans seriously threaten parts of the area. Water quality has improved in recent years as a result of new and effective sewage treatment. Laajalahti and Vanhankaupunginlahti have several bird-watching towers and wooden trails. Part of the area is a candidate SAC.</P>
| Threat level 1 | Threat level 2 | Threat level 3 | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pollution | Domestic & urban waste water | Type Unknown/Unrecorded | Only in the past and unlikely to return |
| Invasive & other problematic species, genes & diseases | Invasive non-native/alien species/diseases | Unspecified species | Ongoing |
| Pollution | Excess energy | Noise pollution | Ongoing |
| Residential & commercial development | Housing & urban areas | Ongoing |
Additional information
Contributors: Site identified based on Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas by the BirdLife International Partnership