Oulu region wetlands (1352)
Finland, Europe
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Global KBA criteria: D1a
Year of last assessment: 2000
National site name: Oulun seudun kerääntymisalue
Central coordinates: Latitude: 64.9167, Longitude: 25.1667
System: marine, terrestrial
Area of KBA (km2): 817.56366
Protected area coverage (%): 25.62
KBA classification: Global
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: A very large and diverse wetland complex, including sea bays, archipelago and farmland, in the vicinity of Oulu city. The site comprises extensive coastal meadows, early successional young deciduous forests, dry meadows, cattle-grazed farmland, sand beaches, sand-dunes, lagoons and inhabited areas.
Rationale for qualifying as KBA: This site qualifies as a Key Biodiversity Area of international significance that meets the thresholds for at least one criterion described in the Global Standard for the Identification of KBAs.
Additional biodiversity: A uniquely important breeding and staging area for numerous species. A very high proportion of the populations of many northern species stage on the area.
Habitats
Land use: agriculture (20%) | hunting (80%) | nature conservation and research (20%) | tourism/recreation (10%) | urban/industrial/transport (10%)
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Marine Intertidal | 5 | |
| Forest | 5 | |
| Artificial - Terrestrial | 20 | |
| Marine Coastal/Supratidal | 70 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: Human impact has detrimentally affected the area, resulting in nutrient pollution of water areas and overgrowth of wetlands and meadows. Conversely, active cultivation of farmland has benefited birds, creating large feeding grounds, especially for geese and cranes. Hunting pressure is very heavy in autumn, when hundreds or thousands of hunters gather here for wildfowling; hunting is prohibited in small parts of the area only. There are several birdwatching towers and wooden trails at Liminganlahti. At Tauvo, on the mouth of the Siikajoki river, a bird observatory has been maintained for many years, where ringing and migration observation are the main activities. Part of the area is a candidate SAC.
| Threat level 1 | Threat level 2 | Threat level 3 | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Human intrusions & disturbance | Recreational activities | Ongoing |