Föglö southern archipelago (1380)
Finland, Europe
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2000
National site name: Föglön eteläinen saaristo
Central coordinates: Latitude: 59.8667, Longitude: 20.5833
System: marine, terrestrial
Area of KBA (km2): 304.86563
Protected area coverage (%): 7.78
KBA classification: Regional
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: A large area of outer archipelago to the south-east of åland. The archipelago is dominated by groups of small, treeless, steep islands separated from each other by extensive areas of open sea.
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 area for many island-breeding species, especially Alca torda but also Somateria mollissima (1,500 pairs) and Larus fuscus fuscus. It is one of the few wintering areas for waterbirds in Finland due to its location on the edge of the Baltic Sea, which normally remains ice-free. Species of global conservation concern that do not meet IBA criteria: Polysticta stelleri (1-10 birds, winter), Haliaeetus albicilla (5-10 birds, winter).
Habitats
Land use: not utilised (100%)
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Marine Neritic | 99 | |
| Marine Coastal/Supratidal | 1 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: There has been very little development on the islands, with the exception of a few summer cottages. The land-owner actively guards the whole area and tries to protect it. The Finnish government has planned to establish a massive shipping channel through the northern part of the area, but this project is currently on hold.