Sjaunja (879)
Sweden, Europe
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2000
National site name: Sjaunja
Central coordinates: Latitude: 67.4528, Longitude: 18.8710
System: freshwater, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 368 to 1844
Area of KBA (km2): 2813.81315
Protected area coverage (%): 99.04
KBA classification: Global/Regional TBD
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: An extensive, largely untouched wilderness area with a wide range of habitats dominated by wetlands, with forest to the east and mountainous territory to the west. The main wetlands comprise open marshes, shallow lakes and wet Betula forest. There are 44,000 ha of virgin Picea and Pinus forest in the drier areas.
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: The IBA is important for breeding wetland and forest species, including a diversity of raptors. Breeding birds include eight out of the 15 species in Europe that are restricted (when breeding) to the boreal biome. Species of global conservation concern that do not meet IBA criteria: Gallinago media (three breeding pairs). Numbers of birds given as breeding in the IBA are probably underestimates due to the size of the survey area.
Delineation rationale: old area: 208000 ha Changed due to more accurate information on borders and size. /Robert Ekblom (2007-10-17)
Habitats
Land use: forestry (5%) | hunting (100%) | military (100%) | nature conservation and research (100%) | urban/industrial/transport (5%)
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Forest | 20 | |
| Grassland | 10 | |
| Shrubland | 10 | |
| Wetlands(Inland) | 60 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: Attempts have been made to start mineral exploration in the IBA˜these are currently on hold for economic reasons. Proposals have been put forward by the Swedish EPA to designate the area as a National Park.