Template for Submission of Scientific Information to Describe Areas Meeting Scientific Criteria for Ecologically or Biologically Significant Marine Areas
Title/Name of the area: Korppoo and Nauvo southern archipelago
Presented by Rieke Scholz, Scientific Associate Marine Conservation, NABU – Nature and Biodiversity Conservation Union Germany (BirdLife partner in Germany. [email protected]
Abstract Very important breeding area for seabirds, with total numbers exceeding 20,000 breeding pairs. Key species include the Near-threatened Common Eider (Somateria mollissima) and the Near-threatened Razorbill (Alca torda).
Introduction The Korppoo and Nauvo southern archipelago is a large area of outer archipelago containing the most ornithologically important parts of the Saaristomeri National Park. It is important both as a breeding area and a staging area for seabirds, including the Near-threatened Common Eider Somateria mollissima (BirdLife International 2018a). This species is classified as Near-threatened due to a current decline of >40% over three generations in the European population (BirdLife International 2018b). In the Baltic and Wadden seas flyway population, a decline has been evident since the 1990s, and total numbers of breeding pairs decreased by 48% during 2000-2009 (Ekroos et al. 2012). The majority of this population breed in Sweden and Finland. The species is classified as Vulnerable for breeding and Endangered for wintering in the HELCOM Red List (HELCOM Red List Bird Expert Group 2013). The Korppoo and Nauvo southern archipelago holds up to 11,500 breeding pairs, and up to 55,000 migrating individuals have been recorded, making it a nationally important site for this species (BirdLife International 2018a, BirdLife International unpublished data). The site has been classified as an Important Bird and Biodiversity Area by BirdLife International (BirdLife International 2018a).
Location The Korppoo and Nauvo southern archipelago is a 700 km2 area located in the Northern Baltic Sea (59.8 N/ 21.5 W) (Figure 1)
Feature description of the proposed area (This should include information about the characteristics of the feature to be proposed, e.g. in terms of physical description (water column feature, benthic feature, or both), biological communities, role in ecosystem function, and then refer to the data/information that is available to support the proposal and whether models are available in the absence of data. This needs to be supported where possible with maps, models, reference to analysis, or the level of research in the area)
Feature condition and future outlook of the proposed area (Description of the current condition of the area – is this static, declining, improving, what are the particular vulnerabilities? Any planned research/programmes/investigations?)
Assessment of the area against CBD EBSA Criteria
CBD EBSA Description Ranking of criterion relevance Criteria (Annex I to decision IX/20) (please mark one column with an X) (Annex I to No Low Medi High decision informa um IX/20) tion Uniqueness Area contains either (i) unique (“the only one X or rarity of its kind”), rare (occurs only in few locations) or endemic species, populations or
Title 1
communities, and/or (ii) unique, rare or distinct, habitats or ecosystems; and/or (iii) unique or unusual geomorphological or oceanographic features.
Special Areas that are required for a population to x importance survive and thrive. for life- history stages of species The area is a very important breeding and passage area for the Common Eider Somateria mollissima, and is also used as a breeding area by Great Black-backed Gull Larus marinus, Black Guillemot Cepphus grylle and Razorbill Alca torda (BirdLife International, 2018a).
Importance Area containing habitat for the survival and X for recovery of endangered, threatened, threatened, declining species or area with significant endangered assemblages of such species. or declining species and/or habitats The area holds a nationally significant breeding population of the Common Eider Somateria mollissima, a species listed as Near-Threatened by BirdLife/IUCN (BirdLife International 2018b) and as Vulnerable (breeding) in the HELCOM Red List (HELCOM Red List Bird Expert Group 2013). Near-threatened Razorbill Alca torda also breed in the site (BirdLife International 2018a). Vulnerabilit Areas that contain a relatively high X y, fragility, proportion of sensitive habitats, biotopes or sensitivity, species that are functionally fragile (highly or slow susceptible to degradation or depletion by recovery human activity or by natural events) or with slow recovery. The site is a highly important breeding and passage area for the Common Eider Somateria mollissima, a species currently undergoing rapid declines in the Baltic Sea (BirdLife International 2018b). The Baltic/Wadden Sea flyway breeding population declined by 48% from 2000-2009 (Ekroos et al. 2012) and the total number wintering in the Baltic as declined by 51% over 16 years (HELCOM Red List Bird Expert Group 2013, Skov et al. 2011). Common Eider is threatened by various factors including hunting, fisheries bycatch, and predation by increasing populations of White-tailed Eagle Haliaeetus albicilla (HELCOM Red List Bird Expert Group 2013).
Biological Area containing species, populations or x productivity communities with comparatively higher natural biological productivity. Explanation for ranking
Biological Area contains comparatively higher diversity x diversity of ecosystems, habitats, communities, or species, or has higher genetic diversity. Explanation for ranking
Naturalness Area with a comparatively higher degree of x naturalness as a result of the lack of or low level of human-induced disturbance or
Title 2
degradation. Explanation for ranking
Sharing experiences and information applying other criteria (Optional)
Other Description Ranking of criterion relevance Criteria (please mark one column with an X) Don’t Low Mediu High Know m Add relevant x criteria
Explanation for ranking
References
BirdLife International (2018a) Important Bird Areas factsheet: Korppoo and Nauvo southern archipelago. Downloaded from http://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/korppoo-and-nauvo-southern- archipelago-iba-finland on 12/02/2018.
BirdLife International (2018b) Species factsheet: Somateria mollissima. Downloaded from http://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/common-eider-somateria-mollissima.
Ekroos, Johan, Anthony D. Fox, Thomas K. Christensen, Ib K. Petersen, Mikael Kilpi, Jón E. Jónsson, Martin Green, Karsten Laursen, Anja Cervencl, and Peter De Boer (2012). “Declines amongst Breeding Eider Somateria Mollissima Numbers in the Baltic/Wadden Sea Flyway.” Ornis Fennica 89: 81.
HELCOM Red List Bird Expert Group (2013). Species Information Sheet: Somateria mollissima. Downloaded from http://helcom.fi/Red%20List%20Species%20Information%20Sheet/HELCOM%20Red%20List%20S omateria%20mollissima.pdf on 12/02/2018.
Skov, H., S. Heinänen, R. Žydelis, J. Bellebaum, S. Bzoma, M. Dagys, J. Durinck, S. Garthe, G. Grishanov, M. Hario, J.J. Kieckbusch, J. Kube, A. Kuresoo, K. Larsson, L. Luigujõe, W. Meissner, H.W. Nehls, L. Nilsson, I.K. Petersen, M. Mikkola Roos, S. Pihl, N. Sonntag, A. Stock & A. Stipniece (2011). Waterbird populations and pressures in the Baltic Sea. TemaNord 550, 201 pp
Title 3
Maps and Figures
Figure 1: Location of Korppoo and Nauvo southern archipelago. More details at http://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/korppoo-and-nauvo-southern-archipelago-iba-finland/details
Rights and permissions (Indicate if there are any known issues with giving permission to share or publish these data and what any conditions of publication might be; provide contact details for a contact person for this issue)
Title 4
Title 5