Lake Kirkkojärvi Area. 02/02/04; Western Finland; 305 ha; 61°27'N 024°03'E. Natura 2000 SPA and SCI, WHCP. Five separate lakes in the Kirkkojärvi area, connected to one another by small brooks in a close group. With its diverse aquatic and extensive vegetation zones, it forms the most valuable wetland complex in the Pirkanmaa region, especially for migrating and molting waterfowl. Common reed and bulrushes are abundant and the lakes are for the most part bordered by deciduous shore forests further surrounded by agricultural land. The discharge of wastewater into the lake and downstream waters until the 1980s, as well as the dissolving of nutrients from nearby fields, led to a strong eutrophication in the past. Lowering of the water level of the Taivallammi lake and the dredging of the outlet of Kirkkojärvi have had negative impacts. Presently, negative effects are mainly caused by off-site pressure such as increased building and noise emission of the motorway around the area. In 1991 a management and land use plan was established, and present management includes a range of educational offers as well as birdwatching facilities. Ramsar site no. 1514. Most recent RIS information: 2005.