Eckerö and Hammarland archipelago (1287)
Finland, Europe
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2000
National site name: Eckerö-Hammarlandin saaristo
Central coordinates: Latitude: 60.4167, Longitude: 19.6333
System: marine, terrestrial
Area of KBA (km2): 160.38792
Protected area coverage (%): 49.00
KBA classification: Regional
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: An area of both outer and middle archipelago with a large number of islands, situated at the western edge of åland. Most of the islands are bare and almost treeless, but some larger ones hold small patches of forest, swamps, ponds and meadows. Signildskär, one of the largest islands, has the oldest bird observatory in Fennoscandia, founded in 1923. Migration observations have been carried out from the station, but the main activity now is ringing.
Rationale for qualifying as KBA: This site qualifies as a Key Biodiversity Area of international significance that was identified using previously established criteria and thresholds for the identification of Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas (IBAs) and for which available data indicate that it does not meet global KBA criteria and thresholds set out in the Global Standard.
Additional biodiversity: An important area for island-breeding species, most significantly Alca torda and Cepphus grylle, but also Somateria mollissima (2,000-5,000 pairs), Arenaria interpres (50-100 pairs) and Larus fuscus fuscus (50-100 pairs).
Habitats
Land use: not utilised (60%) | tourism/recreation (30%)
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Marine Coastal/Supratidal | 40 | |
| Marine Neritic | 60 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: The archipelago has remained in a fairly natural state. The main threats to birds are oil spills (`Other' threat), nutrient pollution from agriculture and fisheries, increased fish-farming and tourism. The area is a candidate SAC.
| Threat level 1 | Threat level 2 | Threat level 3 | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Human intrusions & disturbance | Recreational activities | Ongoing |