Kauhaneva - Pohjankangas National Park. 02/02/04; Western Finland; 6,849 ha; 62°11'N 022°25'E. Natura 2000 SPA and SCI, National Park, Finnish Mire Conservation and Esker Conservation Programmes. The mires form the largest and most representative raised bog area in the region of concentric bogs in southern Ostrobothnia, composed of several closely situated mires of which the largest is Kauhaneva, an exceptionally well-developed raised bog with large minerotrophic flark and sedge fens, small brooks and tens of ponds and pools. The esker formations beside the mires are characterized by barren pine heath forests. On the edges of eskers there are springfens, some of which include brook beds with impressive topography. More than 400 pairs of 11 wader species are breeding in the area, which is also an important staging area for, e.g., Bean Goose. Adverse effects are caused by forestry drainage and peat mining nearby, as well as a decrease in groundwater level as a result of extraction from the Nummikangas Esker. After the establishment of the National Park in 1982, the major part of the mires was included in the Mire or Esker Conservation Programmes. Ramsar site no. 1511. Most recent RIS information: 2005.