Current view: Text account
Site description (2000 baseline):
Site location and context
A very large wilderness of rugged fjelds in north-western Finland. The landscape is open, dominated by rocky mountains isolated by valleys or plateaus, with numerous ponds, small lakes and rivulets. Birch
Betula pubescens forest covers the lower parts of the fjelds. There are many human settlements along the road bordering the area to the west. Tourism is heavy around Saana in the north for 2-3 months per year, but otherwise the area suffers only minor human impact.
An important breeding area for Arctic species. Breeding birds include 15 out of the 32 species in Europe that are restricted to the Arctic/tundra biome (when breeding). Species of global conservation concern that do not meet IBA criteria:
Anser erythropus (passage).
Pressure/threats to key biodiversity
Reindeer husbandry (`Other' land-use and threat) has caused some erosion of vegetation. Part of the area is a candidate SAC.
National High
International High173,264 ha of IBA covered by Wilderness Area (Käsivarsi, 219,989 ha). 219,755 ha of IBA covered by Special Protection Area (Käsivarren erämaa).
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: Käsivarsi fjelds (Finland). Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/käsivarsi-fjelds-iba-finland on 23/11/2024.
