Valkmusa National Park. 02/02/04; Southern Finland; 1,710 ha; 60°34'N 026°40'E. Natura 2000 SCI, Finnish Mire and Esker Conservation Programmes, National Park. A large and varied mire complex including more than 1,400 ha of mires with numerous small ponds, flarks and small forested islands. It consists of two nearby areas: the Munasuo Mire, a raised plateau bog, and the Kananiemensuo Mire composed of several mire types. The site is an especially valuable habitat for threatened and near-threatened butterfly species. The name Valkmusa comes from the Swedish for Falcon Moss, but the Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus) disappeared from the southern parts of its breeding range in Finland in the 1960s due to the use of toxic chemicals. Virgin mires play an important role in maintenance of water quality. Significant values include outdoor recreation and birdwatching. The general land use in the catchment area is shaped mainly by private forestry and agriculture. Drainage ditches nearby may negatively affect the site. A management and land use plan for the National Park has been elaborated but not yet implemented. Ramsar site no. 1537. Most recent RIS information: 2005.