Värriö-Tuntsa (1373)
Finland, Europe
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2000
National site name: Värriö-Tuntsa
Central coordinates: Latitude: 67.6667, Longitude: 29.7500
System: terrestrial
Elevation (m): 500 to 500
Area of KBA (km2): 336.29132
Protected area coverage (%): 98.50
KBA classification: Global/Regional TBD
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: A wilderness area comprising two adjacent mountainous conservation units in eastern Lapland: Värriö Strict Nature Reserve, and the Wilderness Area of Tuntsa which reaches the Russian border in the east. The landscape is dominated by low fjelds and high hills, with forested slopes, fertile river valleys and old, natural boreal forests between them. Due to the area's remoteness, human activity is minor.
Rationale for qualifying as KBA: This site qualifies as a Key Biodiversity Area of international significance because it meets one or more previously established criteria and thresholds for identifying sites of biodiversity importance (including Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas, Alliance for Zero Extinction sites, and Key Biodiversity Areas)
Additional biodiversity: An important area for boreal avifauna. Breeding birds include 13 out of the 15 species in Europe that are restricted to the boreal biome (when breeding).
Habitats
Land use: nature conservation and research | tourism/recreation
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Grassland | 25 | |
| Forest | 65 | |
| Wetlands(Inland) | 10 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: Part of the area is a candidate SAC.