Current view: Text account
Site description (2000 baseline):
Site location and context
A large complex of boreal habitats south of the Porttipahta and Lokka reservoirs. The mires which dominate the landscape are typically large, wet, and hold a very rich avifauna. Islands of old coniferous forests and pure
Picea abies forests (mostly over 200 years old) are scattered across the area, which is also traversed by hundreds of kilometres of rivers (the largest being the Kitinen river) and streams bordered by
Salix bushes, forests, and grassy swamp-forests.
An exceptionally important area for Arctic and boreal avifauna, especially for waders.
Pressure/threats to key biodiversity
The area has valuable ore deposits, which mining companies have staked claim to. These claims threaten the protection of the area. Part of the area is a candidate SAC.
National Partial
International High43,665 ha of IBA covered by Peatland Reserve (Pomokaira-Tenniöaapa, 43,665 ha). 34,400 ha of IBA covered by Ramsar Site (Koitelaiskaira, 34,400 ha). 141,532 ha of IBA covered by two Special Protection Areas (Pomokaira; Koitelainen).
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: Pomokaira-Koitelaiskaira (Finland). Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/pomokaira-koitelaiskaira-iba-finland on 22/12/2024.
