Värtsilä valley (1330)
Finland, Europe
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2000
National site name: Värtsilän laakso
Central coordinates: Latitude: 62.2000, Longitude: 30.6333
System: freshwater, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 70 to 70
Area of KBA (km2): 7.44713
Protected area coverage (%): 62.69
KBA classification: Regional
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: A diverse, fertile, open valley surrounded by large areas of woodland situated around the settlement of Värtsilä. The area includes two small, shallow, eutrophic lakes, Sääperi and Uudenkylänlampi, surrounded by farmland, mostly cereals, and also by wild meadows. The Jänisjoki river flows across the area, into Lake Ladoga in Russia.
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 few known regular breeding sites in Finland for Emberiza aureola (3-7 pairs). Tringa stagnatilis has bred twice during the 1985-1995 period. Also a nationally important spring staging area for Anser fabalis (400-600 birds), Tringa erythropus (100-500 birds), T. nebularia (100-500 birds) and Calcarius lapponicus (1,000-5,000 birds). Species of global conservation concern that do not meet IBA criteria: Circus macrourus (max. 3 birds, passage), Aquila clanga (max. 1 bird, passage), Gallinago media (1-5 birds, passage).
Habitats
Land use: agriculture (30%) | hunting (40%)
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Forest | 5 | |
| Wetlands(Inland) | 40 | |
| Artificial - Terrestrial | 55 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: A few hundred people live in the valley and impact on the area. Disturbance is greatest in autumn when wildfowling starts. There have been attempts to manage the scrub on the shores of Sääperi lake specifically for improving the breeding habitat for Emberiza aureola, but without success. Overgrowth of the wetland is a threat. A birdwatching tower is situated on the shore of Sääperi lake. Part of the area is a candidate SAC.
| Threat level 1 | Threat level 2 | Threat level 3 | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Natural system modifications | Dams & water management/use | Abstraction of surface water (unknown use) | Ongoing |
| Agriculture & aquaculture | Annual & perennial non-timber crops | Agro-industry farming | Ongoing |
| Pollution | Agricultural & forestry effluents | Type Unknown/Unrecorded | Ongoing |