Rahja archipelago (1340)
Finland, Europe
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2000
National site name: Rahjan saaristo
Central coordinates: Latitude: 64.1833, Longitude: 23.6000
System: marine, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 3 to 3
Area of KBA (km2): 116.64908
Protected area coverage (%): 71.08
KBA classification: Regional
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: Lying in the north-east of the Gulf of Bothnia, this is one of the largest and most diverse archipelagos in the Bay of Bothnia. The area holds a remarkable diversity of habitats including the Siipojoki river delta, large forested islands, islands with meadows and beaches, and numerous outer rocky islands and islets. The area has remained largely undeveloped, and much of the shoreline is in a natural state.
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: An important breeding area for archipelagic avifauna.
Habitats
Land use: forestry (10%) | hunting (40%) | tourism/recreation (60%)
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Forest | 29 | |
| Marine Neritic | 29 | |
| Marine Intertidal | 5 | |
| Marine Coastal/Supratidal | 38 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Invasive & other problematic species, genes & diseases | Invasive non-native/alien species/diseases | Unspecified species | Ongoing |
| Pollution | Agricultural & forestry effluents | Nutrient loads | Ongoing |