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FI010
Kevo
Location Finland, Lapin lääni
Central coordinates 26o 47.00' East  69o 35.00' North
IBA criteria A3, B2, B3, C2, C6
Area 70,075 ha
Altitude 250 m
Year of IBA assessment 2000

BirdLife SUOMI-FINLAND



Ornithological information The site supports a diverse Arctic avifauna. Breeding birds include 12 out of the 32 species in Europe that are restricted to the Arctic/tundra biome (when breeding).

Site description A very long, impressive, unique ridge valley in northern Lapland surrounded by large areas of subarctic forests. At the heart of the area is the long and shallow Kevojoki river, which runs through the Kevo canyon, considered to be one of the most remarkable geological formations in the country. Vast areas around the ridge valley are dominated by fjeld forests of birch Betula. Each summer, large numbers of tourists visit the area, especially the canyon.

Populations of IBA trigger species

Species Season Period Population estimate Quality of estimate IBA Criteria IUCN Category
Greater Scaup Aythya marila breeding  1997  1-5 breeding pairs  poor  A3  Least Concern 
Black Scoter Melanitta nigra breeding  1997  1-5 breeding pairs  poor  A3  Not Recognised 
Rough-legged Hawk Buteo lagopus breeding  1997  50 breeding pairs  poor  A3  Least Concern 
Eurasian Golden Plover Pluvialis apricaria breeding  1996  1,000-3,000 breeding pairs  poor  B3, C2, C6  Least Concern 
Bar-tailed Godwit Limosa lapponica breeding  1996  10-20 breeding pairs  poor  A3  Least Concern 
Whimbrel Numenius phaeopus breeding  1997  50-200 breeding pairs  poor  B3  Least Concern 
Spotted Redshank Tringa erythropus breeding  1997  20-50 breeding pairs  poor  A3  Least Concern 
Wood Sandpiper Tringa glareola breeding  1997  500-2,000 breeding pairs  poor  B2  Least Concern 
Temminck's Stint Calidris temminckii breeding  1997  50-200 breeding pairs  poor  A3  Least Concern 
Red-necked Phalarope Phalaropus lobatus breeding  1996  10-20 breeding pairs  poor  A3  Least Concern 
Long-tailed Jaeger Stercorarius longicaudus breeding  1997  50 breeding pairs  poor  A3  Least Concern 
Meadow Pipit Anthus pratensis breeding  1997  3,000-8,000 breeding pairs  poor  B3  Least Concern 
Red-throated Pipit Anthus cervinus breeding  1997  100-200 breeding pairs  poor  A3  Least Concern 
Hoary Redpoll Carduelis hornemanni breeding  1997  20-50 breeding pairs  poor  A3  Not Recognised 
Lapland Longspur Calcarius lapponicus breeding  1997  300-1,000 breeding pairs  poor  A3  Least Concern 
Snow Bunting Plectrophenax nivalis breeding  1997  20-50 breeding pairs  poor  A3  Least Concern 

Protected areas

Protected area Designation Area (ha) Relationship with IBA Overlap with IBA (ha)  
Kevo - FI1302001 Birds Directive 71,406 protected area contains site 70,075  
Kevon luonnonpuisto Strict Nature Reserve 71,261 protected area overlaps with site 70,075  
Paistunturin erämaa - FI1302003 Habitats Directive 159,770 protected area is adjacent to site 0  

Habitats

IUCN habitat Habitat detail Extent (% of site)
Forest   80%
Wetlands (inland) Raised bogs; Rivers and streams  15%
Coastline   5%

Land use

Land-use Extent (% of site)
tourism/recreation -

Management considerations Part of the area is a candidate SAC.

Protection status National High International None70,075 ha of IBA covered by Strict Nature Reserve (Kevo, 70,175 ha).

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Recommended citation  BirdLife International (2013) Important Bird Areas factsheet: Kevo. Downloaded from http://www.birdlife.org on 22/05/2013

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