Vätsäri Wilderness Area
Vätsäri Wilderness Area | |
---|---|
wilderness area)[1] | |
Location | Lapland, Finland |
Coordinates | 69°08′N 28°21′E / 69.133°N 28.350°E |
Area | 1,550 km2 (600 sq mi) |
Governing body | Metsähallitus |
The Vätsäri Wilderness Area (
The area has a short growing season, cold winters, little precipitation and poor
Geography
The wilderness area is located on the northeastern shore of Lake Inari and stretches northeastwards into a treeless fell ridge. It is located entirely within the municipality of Inari, and the reserve's eastern border is the Finland–Norway border. The landscape consists of taiga forests of Scots pine in the lower areas, bog, thousands of small lakes, and creeks.
The bedrock consists of basement gneiss with occasional
History
The area was populated in the
The twelve wilderness areas in Lapland were all created in 1991 to protect both the natural wilderness and the Sami culture. These areas combined cover an area of 14,903 square kilometers (5,754 sq mi), where such activities as road construction and mining are prohibited, as is logging in some areas.[13] Pasvik–Inari Trilateral Park was established in several steps: Øvre Pasvik National Park was created in 1970,[14] the Russian part of Pasvik Nature Reserve was established in 1992,[15] and the Norwegian part created the following year. In 2003 the national park was expanded and Øvre Pasvik Landscape Protection Area was established, creating a continually protected area spanning three countries.[14]
Management
The wilderness area is managed by Metsähallitus[3] a government agency which manages the state-owned land in Finland.[16] The area is not a strictly protected area, instead falling into the Natura 2000 network. Limitations include the mandatory maintenance of forests in their natural state and a ban on logging. The sale and leasing of land is prohibited, as is construction of permanent roads and mining.[3]
Nature
Whitefish and vendace are the most common fish species in Lake Inari, the latter having been accidentally naturalized. Lake trout can be caught in creeks.[4] Other fish found in the park include Arctic char, grayling, pike, perch, burbot, three-spined stickleback, ninespine stickleback and minnow. Stocking with fish has resulted in the introduction of Atlantic salmon, vendace and lake trout.[12]
The lower areas of the wilderness area are covered by a taiga forest of Scots pine. Less common trees include
Recreation
Most recreation takes place around Lake Inari, although a limited number of visitors hike into the fells.[3] The reserve is a demanding hiking area and inexperienced hikers are recommended to avoid traversing the wilderness.[2] The freedom to roam grants everyone the right to hike, ski and short-term camping everywhere in the area.[17] The park can be accessed from National Road 971 and 969; public transport is available to Nellim.[18]
References
- ^ Protected Planet. "Vätsärin erämaa Wilderness Area". United Nations Environment World Conservation Monitoring Centre. Retrieved 26 Dec 2018.
- ^ a b c d "Vätsäri Wilderness Area". Metsähallitus. 5 August 2011. Archived from the original on 5 November 2012. Retrieved 26 August 2012.
- ^ a b c d e "Vätsäri". Pasvik–Inari Trilateral Park. Archived from the original on 20 June 2012. Retrieved 26 August 2012.
- ^ a b c "Water system". Pasvik–Inari Trilateral Park. Archived from the original on 19 May 2012. Retrieved 26 August 2012.
- ^ "Geology". Pasvik–Inari Trilateral Park. Archived from the original on 19 May 2012. Retrieved 26 August 2012.
- ^ a b "Climate". Pasvik–Inari Trilateral Park. Archived from the original on 19 June 2012. Retrieved 26 August 2012.
- ^ a b c "Fauna". Pasvik–Inari Trilateral Park. Archived from the original on 19 May 2012. Retrieved 26 August 2012.
- ^ "Petsamon nikkeli näkyy Vätsärissä". Erä (in Finnish). 26 June 2007. Archived from the original on 2 November 2012. Retrieved 26 August 2012.
- ^ "History". Pasvik–Inari Trilateral Park. Archived from the original on 22 February 2012. Retrieved 26 August 2012.
- ^ "History of Vätsäri Wilderness Area". Metsähallitus. 26 January 2011. Archived from the original on 4 April 2012. Retrieved 26 August 2012.
- ^ a b "Vätsärin erämaan hoito- ja käyttösuunnitelma" (PDF). Metsähallitus. 2008. Retrieved 19 March 2016.
- ^ a b "Natural Features of Vätsäri Wilderness Area". Metsähallitus. 26 January 2011. Archived from the original on 4 April 2012. Retrieved 26 August 2012.
- ^ "Wilderness Areas in Northern Finland". Metsähallitus. 26 November 2010. Archived from the original on 11 May 2013. Retrieved 26 August 2012.
- ^ a b "Øvre Pasvik". Pasvik–Inari Trilateral Park. Archived from the original on 19 June 2012. Retrieved 23 August 2012.
- ^ "Pasvik Zapovednik". Pasvik–Inari Trilateral Park. Archived from the original on 30 January 2013. Retrieved 26 August 2012.
- ^ "About Metsähallitus". Metsähallitus. 26 November 2010. Archived from the original on 11 May 2013. Retrieved 26 August 2012.
- ^ "Wilderness Areas in Northern Finland". Metsähallitus. 23 April 2012. Archived from the original on 4 April 2012. Retrieved 26 August 2012.
- ^ "Vätsäri Wilderness Area Directions and Maps". Metsähallitus. 25 November 2011. Archived from the original on 11 January 2012. Retrieved 26 August 2012.
- ^ a b "Vätsäri Wilderness Area Trails". Metsähallitus. 5 August 2011. Archived from the original on 20 April 2012. Retrieved 26 August 2012.
External links
- nationalparks.fi – Vätsäri Wilderness Area (in English)