Porvoonjoki Delta (1304)
Finland, Europe
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2000
National site name: Porvoonjoen suistoalue
Central coordinates: Latitude: 60.3500, Longitude: 25.6667
System: marine, terrestrial
Area of KBA (km2): 8.98855
Protected area coverage (%): 85.34
KBA classification: Regional
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: A large, richly vegetated delta of the Porvoo river, with few small meadows along the shores. At the heart of the site is a largish, shallow area of open water (Stenbölefjärden) bordered by belts of Phragmites.
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 breeding and staging areas for waterbirds in the country. Probably the best single congregatory area in spring in Finland for Mergus merganser and M. albellus. Species of global conservation concern that do not meet IBA criteria: Haliaeetus albicilla (max. 2 individuals, passage), Crex crex (max. 3 pairs, breeding).
Habitats
Land use: not utilised (10%) | tourism/recreation (70%) | urban/industrial/transport (20%)
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Marine Coastal/Supratidal | 95 | |
| Grassland | 5 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: Human impact is considerable in most of the area, with many parts bordered by settlements, while boating and fishing disturbs avifauna in the interior of the site. Overgrowth of the wetland is also a threat. Hunting is permitted throughout the area, except the northernmost part (Ruskis) which remains a sanctuary for staging waterbirds in autumn. A large EU LIFE project has been started in the area. A birdwatching tower is situated at Ruskis, on the mouth of the Porvoo river. 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 |