Maksimjärvensalo, situated south of the Kostamus Strict Nature Reserve, is a wilderness area unaffected by loggings, thus being an important part of the Green Belt of Fennoscandia. A proposal has been made to protect it as part of the GAP analysis development project of the protected area network in Northwest Russia. Many observations of polypores, lichens and bryophytes threatened in Finland have been made in the area. Some of these species are classified as threatened in Karelia, as well. The continuous forested wilderness area also provides an important habitat for the forest reindeer (Rangifer tarandus fennicus) whose populations have declined rapidly in Karelia.