Data Zone
Country/territory: Finland
IBA criteria met: B1i, B3, C3, C6 (2000)
For more information about IBA criteria, please click here
Area: 2,090 hectares (20.90 km2)
| IBA conservation status | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Year of assessment (most recent) | State (condition) | Pressure (threat) | Response (action) |
| 2010 | very poor | medium | low |
| For more information about IBA monitoring, please click here | |||
Site description (2000 baseline)
Three adjacent, shallow and nutrient-rich lakes with lush vegetation on the upper course of the Lapijoki river. Some parts of the shoreline are bordered by wide marshes. The water-levels of Koskeljärvi and Pitkäjärvi lakes are regulated, which has increased the lake's value for birds on the former, but on the latter has caused over-eutrophication. Koskeljärvi, the most important ornithologically, is the largest lake in south-western Finland without any settlements on its shores.
Key biodiversity
An important breeding area for wetland birds, including nationally important numbers of Circus aeruginosus (6 pairs). Species of global conservation concern that do not meet IBA criteria: Haliaeetus albicilla (max. 6 individuals, passage).
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: Koskeljärvi, Vaaljärvi and Pitkäjärvi lakes (Finland). Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/koskeljärvi-vaaljärvi-and-pitkäjärvi-lakes-iba-finland on 24/12/2024.