Read more about Estuary of river Halaris
Ikaria is among Greek sites of great value as habitats and natural landscapes, comprising a variety of flora and fauna and an important wealth of caves, springs, lakes, rivers etc., due to its geomorphological and climatic conditions. But with large areas threatened by degradation due to intense human pressures, they need to be protected by locals and visitors.
Ikaria has many important habitats worth visiting or studying, and being respected for future generations. Most, but not all areas are included in a protection scheme, but they are worth mentioning as important natural monuments.
Scheduled by national law and international agreements, Ikaria’s protected areas are included in the Network Natura 2000 (either as a Site of Community Importance or as a Special Protection Area), listing places of exceptional natural beauty and Important Bird Areas and CORINE biotopes.
Estuary of river Myrsonas
The estuary of the river Myrsonas (wetland Messakti) is located about 0.5 km west of the village Gialiskari. It is a natural coastal wetland area of 25.5 acres.
Estuary of torrent Harakas
The estuary of the torrent Harakas (swamp Livadi) is located about 0.5 km east - southeast of the village Armenistis. It is a natural coastal wetland area of 32.7 acres.
Estuary of torrent Voutsides
The estuary of the torrent Voutsides is located about 1.4 km west of Evdilos in the village Kampos. It is a natural coastal wetland area of 34.4 acres.
Ikaria-Fourni kai Paraktia Zoni-GR4120004 (Natura 2000)
Agios Nikolaos - River Ηalaris - Nas Fanari Ikaria.Mount Atheras and Plagia.
Important Bird Area-GR143
Ikaria island is characterized as an Important Bird Area and has an international code GR143-Ikaria Island, as attributed by the Hellenic Ornithological Society.
Lake Pezi
The Lake of the Dam in Pezi is located about 3.7 km northeast of the village Christos Raches. It is created by damming artificially the torrent Halaris, thus affecting the supply of fresh water in the estuary.
Lake Vathes
The Lake of the dam Vathes is located about 1 km east - northeast of the village Kastanies, near the famous monastery of Mounde. It is an artificial interior wetland area of 17.8 acres.
Nisos Ikaria-Notodytiko Tmhma-GR4120005 (Natura 2000)
The Southwestern Ikaria is a Special Protection Area (SPA), with a code NATURA2000 -Gr4120005 that overlaps in part a Site of Community Importance (SCI).
Randi Forest
The Forest Randi (or 'Gaia') is located in the central Ikaria, on the west side of the Sierra Atheras. It includes an area of about 16km², in an altitude up to 900m high, with steep geomorphology and constitutes 23% of the total forest area of Ikaria.