Olvassuo Strict Nature Reserve, Protected wetland area in Northern Ostrobothnia and Kainuu, Finland.
Olvassuo is a large protected wetland area spanning three municipalities in Northern Finland, consisting of peat bogs, lakes, wooded hills, and old-growth forests. The landscape combines various soil types and habitats within a defined preserve.
The area was designated as a nature reserve in 1981 to protect the region's peat bog ecosystems and old coniferous forests. This decision aimed to safeguard sensitive habitats from development and alteration.
Reindeer herders continue their traditional way of life within the reserve, maintaining practices passed down through generations. This ongoing use shows how the protected land and local communities coexist today.
Visitors conducting scientific research must obtain permits from Metsähallitus, the managing authority of the reserve. For general visits, it helps to check accessibility and current conditions beforehand.
The reserve hosts rare plant species like early marsh-orchid and marsh saxifrage found in very few places. At the same time, migratory birds such as bean geese and whooper swans use the area as a crucial stopover during their journeys.
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