Current view: Text account
Site description (2000 baseline):
Site location and context
Situated north of Inari lake, a complex of very large peatlands (belonging to the palsa mires typical of Fjeld-Lapland), separated by small areas of ridge forest (
Pinus sylvestris and
Betula). Many rivers, streams, lakes and ponds occur in the area, including the Vaijoki river. Due to its remoteness and wetness the area has remained mainly free of human activities.
An important area for Arctic avifauna. Breeding birds include nine out of the 32 species in Europe that are restricted to the Arctic/tundra biome (when breeding).
Pressure/threats to key biodiversity
Part of the area is a candidate SAC.
National High
International High51,750 ha of IBA covered by Peatland Reserve (Sammuttijänkä-Vaijoenjänkä, 51,812 ha). 51,693 ha of IBA covered by Special Protection Area (Kaldoaivin erämaa).
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: Sammutinjänkä-Vaijoenjänkä (Finland). Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/sammutinjänkä-vaijoenjänkä-iba-finland on 23/12/2024.