Kainuunkylä Islands. 02/02/04; Lapland; 1,005 ha; 66°12'N 023°44'E. Natura 2000 SPA, SCI, WHCP. The most extensive area of alluvial meadows in Finland and the largest pool in the River Tornionjoki, where it is situated in the middle of the river dividing it into numerous small tributaries. On the meadows on the 15 islands vegetation is very diverse but aquatic vegetation is scarse. Sedge meadows are extensive near the waterline, whereas in central areas the vegetation becomes bushy and partly forested on the largest islands. The breeding and migrating wetland bird fauna include about 160 waterfowl pairs of 11-13 species and about 140 wader pairs of 10-12 species that are breeding in the area. The pool area of the river is also an important staging place during migration and moulting periods as well as habitat for some scarce species such as Smew, Hen Harrier, Ruff and Arctic Tern. The River Tornionjoki is also the most important reproductive area of salmon for the Baltic Sea region. Because of the cessation of grazing and hay cutting, the waters are in process of overgrowing and there also occurs some natural erosion along the waterline. Ramsar site no. 1510. Most recent RIS information: 2005.