Current view: Text account
Site description (2000 baseline):
Site location and context
A mosaic of hills, boreal forests and mires lying along the boundary between Oulu and Lappi districts, adjacent to the Russian border. Forested slopes and hills dominate the southern part of the Oulanka National Park, which covers much of the site, whilst the central part holds large areas of old-growth forest, and well-developed aapa mires are typical of the north. Limestone cliffs and numerous rivers and streams increase the diversity of the landscape. Sukerijärvi supports mesotrophic marshy mires interspersed with small islands of
Picea abies forests.
An important breeding area for boreal avifauna. Breeding birds include 14 out of the 15 species in Europe that are restricted to the boreal biome (when breeding).
Pressure/threats to key biodiversity
Part of the area is a candidate SAC.
National High
International High27,893 ha of IBA covered by National Park (Oulanka, 27,893 ha). 2,079 ha of IBA covered by Strict Nature Reserve (Sukerijärvi, 2,079 ha). 29,867 ha of IBA covered by Special Protection Area (Oulanka).
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: Oulanka-Sukerijärvi (Finland). Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/oulanka-sukerijärvi-iba-finland on 22/12/2024.
