Porvoonjoki Estuary-Stensböle. 28/05/74; Southern Finland; 958 ha; 60°21'N 025°42'E. Natura 2000 SPA, SCI, WHCP and Mire Conservation Programme, Baltic Sea Protected Area. Situated in the southern boreal forest vegetation zone, the estuary supports an abundant and rich aquatic flora dominated by reeds and rushes and including coastal meadows, Fennoscandian deciduous swamp woods, bog woodland and an active raised bog of 118 ha, and vast reed beds. The site is one of the most important staging areas for waterfowl and waders during migration periods in southern Finland. However, the increased outdoor recreation, boating, fishing and building on shores cause disturbance to the birds. The estuary has also become strongly eutrophicated; since 1970, purification measures have improved the water quality, but nutrients still run high in River Porvoonjoki. Restoration of meadows was carried out in 1997-98 with the help of WWF and, under an EU Life Nature project, a planning of management was carried out in 1997-2000. With facilities like observation towers and nature trails, the estuary as a very popular site for outdoor recreation and birdwatching. Ramsar site no. 8. Most recent RIS information: 2005.

Southern Finland