Saariselkä and Koilliskaira (1376)
Finland, Europe
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Global KBA criteria: D1a
Year of last assessment: 2000
National site name: Saariselän-Koilliskairan alue
Central coordinates: Latitude: 68.2500, Longitude: 28.0000
System: freshwater, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 500 to 500
Area of KBA (km2): 3093.62987
Protected area coverage (%): 98.67
KBA classification: Global
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: A huge wilderness of fjelds, boreal forests and peatlands in north- east Lapland. Saariselkä, in the north of the area, is a barren fjeld wilderness with treeless mountain heath. Koilliskaira, to the south, is dominated by coniferous forests and aapa mires. Ponds, rivers and streams bordered by Picea abies swamps and herb-rich mires abound. In summer, hundreds or thousands of visitors trek within the area daily.
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: An exceptionally important area for Arctic and boreal avifauna. Breeding birds include seven out of the 32 species in Europe that are restricted to the Arctic/tundra biome (when breeding) and 14 out of the 15 species in Europe that are restricted to the boreal biome (when breeding).
Habitats
Land use: tourism/recreation
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Forest | 60 | |
| Wetlands(Inland) | 30 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: Reindeer husbandry (`Other' land-use and threat) has caused some erosion of vegetation. The area is a candidate SAC.
| Threat level 1 | Threat level 2 | Threat level 3 | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Climate change & severe weather | Habitat shifting & alteration | Ongoing |