Kevo (1370)
Finland, Europe
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2025
National site name: Kevo
Central coordinates: Latitude: 69.5833, Longitude: 26.7833
System: terrestrial, freshwater
Elevation (m): 250 to 250
Area of KBA (km2): 714.05781
Protected area coverage (%): 99.33
KBA classification: Regional
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: A very long, impressive, unique ridge valley in northern Lapland surrounded by large areas of subarctic forests. At the heart of the area is the long and shallow Kevojoki river, which runs through the Kevo canyon, considered to be one of the most remarkable geological formations in the country. Vast areas around the ridge valley are dominated by fjeld forests of birch <I>Betula</I>. Each summer, large numbers of tourists visit the area, especially the canyon.</P>
Rationale for qualifying as KBA: The site supports a diverse Arctic avifauna. Breeding birds include 12 out of the 32 species in Europe that are restricted to the Arctic/tundra biome (when breeding).</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 |
|---|---|---|
| Forest | 80 | |
| Wetlands(Inland) | 20 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: Part of the area is a candidate SAC.</P>
Additional information
Contributors: Site identified based on Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas by the BirdLife International Partnership