Islands in Onega Bay, White Sea. 13/09/94; Karelia; 3,600 ha; 64°56'N 035°10'E. State Forest Lands, Nature Reserve. Numerous rocky islands of glacial origin and surrounding marine waters. Vegetation communities are typical of regions situated further north, such as elfin woodlands and marine tundra, and include pine-birch forests and tundra-like communities dominated by crowberry Empetrum sp., mosses and lichens. The site supports several rare plants and vulnerable mammals. The wetlands support internationally important numbers of several species of breeding waterbirds, notably 1% of the East-Atlantic population of razorbill Alca torda and over 1% of the Russian population of black guillemot Cepphus grylle. The site is also important for wintering and migrating waterbirds. There are objects of archaeological importance, including sacred places of primitive tribes. Human activities include fishing, algae collecting, recreation, and berry and mushroom harvesting. Ramsar site no. 668. Most recent RIS information: 1997.