Siikalahti Bay Area. 02/02/04; Southern Finland; 682 ha; 61°33'N 029°33'E. Natura 2000 SPA, SCI, WHCP. Three separate areas situated in the northeastern corner of Southern Finland just 5 km west of Russian border. Siikalahti and Rautalahti are inlets of Lake Simpelejärvi; Sammallampi is a small lake with an outlet to the same lake. These are characterized by extensive growths of Common Reed and thereby in the process of overgrowing, in a transitional stage in the succession of water ecosystems, with the vegetation and bird fauna most diverse and richest at the present stage. Siikalahti Bay is the most valuable bird-lake in Finland as habitat for many threatened bird species. The ecological character of the site is affected negatively by rapid overgrowth as a result of eutrophication. Regulations of water levels and drainage ditches caused a decrease of wetland species in southern parts to one third of previous numbers; nonetheless, the area is very appreciated for environmental education, birdwatching and outdoor recreation activities. Ramsar site no. 1532. Most recent RIS information: 2005.