Holmöarna Archipelago (910)
Sweden, Europe
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2000
National site name: Holmöarna
Central coordinates: Latitude: 63.7023, Longitude: 20.8937
System: marine, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 0 to 26
Area of KBA (km2): 241.91947
Protected area coverage (%): 99.92
KBA classification: Regional
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: An archipelago located 10 km from the Swedish mainland and 15 km from the outer Finnish skerries. The larger islands support Picea, Alnus and Betula forests and areas of bog. Of the four largest islands only the most northerly is inhabited. Access to the southern island is restricted due to military activity.
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: The IBA holds a rich breeding bird fauna, including marine species (for example, Melanitta fusca, Stercorarius parasiticus and Cepphus grylle) as well as those of taiga forest (for example, Tetrao urogallus, Grus grus and Strix uralensis). The spring and autumn migration periods see large numbers of seabirds and passerines pass through.
Habitats
Land use: forestry (20%) | military (5%) | nature conservation and research (100%)
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Marine Neritic | 84 | |
| Marine Coastal/Supratidal | 4 | |
| Forest | 12 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: No serious threats are known at the site. The island of Stora Fjaderagg, north-east of Holmön, holds a bird ringing station. The sea areas east of Holmöarna are known to be of great importance for marine life.
| Threat level 1 | Threat level 2 | Threat level 3 | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Invasive & other problematic species, genes & diseases | Invasive non-native/alien species/diseases | Unspecified species | Ongoing |
| Natural system modifications | Other ecosystem modifications | Only in the future |