Köyliönjärvi and Pyhäjärvi lakes (1293)
Finland, Europe
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2025
National site name: Köyliönjärvi-Pyhäjärvi
Central coordinates: Latitude: 61.0833, Longitude: 22.1833
System: terrestrial, freshwater
Elevation (m): 41 to 41
Area of KBA (km2): 67.39594
Protected area coverage (%): 79.81
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.</P>
Rationale for qualifying as KBA: One of the most important staging areas for <I>Mergus merganser</I> (in autumn) in Finland. Species of global conservation concern that do not meet IBA criteria: <I>Haliaeetus albicilla</I> (5 individuals, passage), <I>Crex crex</I> (1 pair, breeding).</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 |
|---|---|---|
| Wetlands(Inland) | 80 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: Part of the area is a candidate SAC.</P>
| Threat level 1 | Threat level 2 | Threat level 3 | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Human intrusions & disturbance | Recreational activities | 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