Köyliönjärvi and Pyhäjärvi lakes (1293)
Finland, Europe
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2000
National site name: Köyliönjärvi-Pyhäjärvi
Central coordinates: Latitude: 61.0833, Longitude: 22.1833
System: freshwater, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 41 to 41
Area of KBA (km2): 27.53895
Protected area coverage (%): 45.94
KBA classification: Regional
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: Two adjacent large lakes lying south-east of Eura. Köyliönjärvi lake is 10 km long, eutrophic and surrounded by farmland and settlements. Several large ridge-like islands with mixed habitats stand in the middle of the lake. Cattle graze some parts of the shoreline keeping meadow vegetation low and deciduous forests open. The IBA also includes some of the most ornithologically important bays of Pyhäjärvi lake, which is otherwise nutrient-poor, (oligotrophic) and unimportant for birds.
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: One of the most important staging areas for Mergus merganser (in autumn) in Finland. Species of global conservation concern that do not meet IBA criteria: Haliaeetus albicilla (5 individuals, passage), Crex crex (1 pair, breeding).
Habitats
Land use: agriculture (90%) | fisheries/aquaculture | forestry (10%) | military (5%) | water management (80%)
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Rocky Areas(e.g., inland cliffs, mountain peaks) | 7 | |
| Artificial - Terrestrial | 7 | |
| Forest | 7 | |
| Wetlands(Inland) | 80 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: Part of the area is a candidate SAC.
| Threat level 1 | Threat level 2 | Threat level 3 | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pollution | Agricultural & forestry effluents | Nutrient loads | Ongoing |
| Human intrusions & disturbance | Recreational activities | Ongoing | |
| Residential & commercial development | Housing & urban areas | Ongoing |