Käsivarsi fjelds (1378)
Finland, Europe
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2025
National site name: Käsivarren tunturit
Central coordinates: Latitude: 69.0000, Longitude: 21.5000
System: terrestrial, freshwater
Elevation (m): 800 to 1300
Area of KBA (km2): 1772.14807
Protected area coverage (%): 89.35
KBA classification: Global/Regional TBD
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: A very large wilderness of rugged fjelds in north-western Finland. The landscape is open, dominated by rocky mountains isolated by valleys or plateaus, with numerous ponds, small lakes and rivulets. Birch <I>Betula pubescens</I> forest covers the lower parts of the fjelds. There are many human settlements along the road bordering the area to the west. Tourism is heavy around Saana in the north for 2-3 months per year, but otherwise the area suffers only minor human impact.</P>
Rationale for qualifying as KBA: An important breeding area for Arctic species. Breeding birds include 15 out of the 32 species in Europe that are restricted to the Arctic/tundra biome (when breeding). Species of global conservation concern that do not meet IBA criteria: <I>Anser erythropus</I> (passage).</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 |
|---|---|---|
| Grassland | 70 | |
| Wetlands(Inland) | 15 | |
| Unknown | 15 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: Reindeer husbandry (`Other' land-use and threat) has caused some erosion of vegetation. Part of the area is a candidate SAC.</P>
| Threat level 1 | Threat level 2 | Threat level 3 | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Invasive & other problematic species, genes & diseases | Problematic native species/diseases | Named species | Ongoing |
| Climate change & severe weather | Habitat shifting & alteration | Ongoing |
Additional information
Contributors: Site identified based on Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas by the BirdLife International Partnership