Metallikenttiä

Metallikenttiä, a Finnish term roughly translating to "metal fields," refers to a specific type of ephemeral wetland habitat found in certain coastal and archipelagic areas of Finland. These areas are characterized by their shallow water, often saline or brackish conditions, and a substrate rich in iron compounds, which gives the soil or mud a distinctive reddish-brown or metallic hue.

These habitats are typically formed in sheltered bays, lagoons, or estuarine environments where freshwater runoff mixes with seawater. The fluctuating water levels and the unique chemical composition of the substrate create challenging conditions for many plant species, leading to specialized flora adapted to this environment. Common vegetation can include salt-tolerant grasses, sedges, and certain mosses.

Metallikenttiä are ecologically significant as they provide important breeding and feeding grounds for various species of wading birds, waterfowl, and shorebirds. The shallow waters and exposed mudflats offer abundant food sources in the form of invertebrates and small fish.

The preservation of metallikenttiä is of interest for biodiversity conservation, particularly in regions experiencing coastal development and habitat alteration. Their unique characteristics and the specialized ecosystems they support make them valuable natural assets.