Veneneva - Pelso Mires. 02/02/04; Oulu; 12,039 ha; 64°28'N 026°10'E. Natura 2000 SPA, SCI, Mire Conservation Programme, Strict Nature Reserve. An extensive unit of various types of aapa mire complexes representing the mire vegetation region of Southern aapa mires, constituted of extensive flark fens and pine bogs typical of Ostrobothnia aapa mires. Spruce mires and patches of rich fens also occur in the area. For the most part the mire types are mesotrophic and oligotrophic. The waters consist of small ponds and headwaters of rivers. In the middle of mires there are barren esker formations which are in the process of changing into mires. Virgin aapa mires play an important role in the maintenance of water quality and in flood control, and in some aapa mires restoration was carried out in the 1980s. The breeding wetland bird fauna is valuable, including about 14 species of the EU Birds Directive Annex I. In the Strict Nature Reserve visiting is prohibited except for scientific research and education purposes. Under the EU Life Nature project in 2002-2007, restoration of forests will be carried out in an area of 180 hectares. Ramsar site no. 1539. Most recent RIS information: 2005.