Natural diversity

The nature in western Finland is special and diversified with respect to Finnish condition. The Kvarken area is a transisional zone for many organisms and a boundary for the distribution of many marine species.

Large inland rivers and their tributaries, extensive mires and arid woods are typical. Lakes are rare and the wide atricultural plains dominate the landscape in river valleys.

Approximately 4 % of the land area in western Finland is included in the European Union Natura 2000 Network. The protection programmes are implemented by purchasing private land or by establishing protection areas on private land.

There are three national parks in the West Finland Regional Environment Centre area; Lauhanvuori National Park, Kauhaneva-Pohjankangas National Park and Salamajärvi National Park.