Kukkiajärvi lake (1313)
Finland, Europe
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2025
National site name: Kukkiajärvi
Central coordinates: Latitude: 61.3333, Longitude: 24.6667
System: terrestrial, freshwater
Elevation (m): 87 to 87
Area of KBA (km2): 44.10778
Protected area coverage (%): 88.29
KBA classification: Regional
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: A large, mainly nutrient-poor (oligotrophic) lake complex situated west of Päijänne lake, with 230 km of shoreline. The lake is dotted with numerous islands, some of which are large and forested, holding many rare plant species.</P>
Rationale for qualifying as KBA: Also one of the best areas in continental Finland for breeding <I>Larus fuscus fuscus</I> (83 pairs).</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) | 95 | |
| Rocky Areas(e.g., inland cliffs, mountain peaks) | 5 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: There has been a substantial housing development along most of the lake shoreline over the last few decades, which has detrimentally affected bird populations, particularly <I>Gavia arctica</I>. Sewage effluent also impacts on the area. Part of the area is a candidate SAC.</P>
| Threat level 1 | Threat level 2 | Threat level 3 | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pollution | Domestic & urban waste water | Type Unknown/Unrecorded | Ongoing |
| Human intrusions & disturbance | Recreational activities | Ongoing |
Additional information
Contributors: Site identified based on Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas by the BirdLife International Partnership