The Southwestern Ikaria is a Special Protection Area (SPA), with a code NATURA2000 -Gr4120005 that overlaps in part a Site of Community Importance (SCI). There is an area of 7,405.00 hectares, also characterized as TYPE "J". The area is important for raptors and migratory birds such as Bonelli's Eagle, Buteous rufinus rufinus, Buteous buteous buteous, Accipiter gentilis butoides, Accipiter nisus nisus, Caprimulgus europaeus, Falco eleonorae, Falco naumanni, Falco peregrinus brookei, Halieetous albicilla, Hieraaetus fasciatus, Otus scops, Phalacrocorax aristotelis and Pufinus pufinus pufinus.
Agios Nikolaos (Southwestern Ikaria) is also a CORINE biotope with the code Ag0020037. The area is degraded slowly. Main threats to the region are grazing goats, arson (for improving pastures) and the expansion of the road network. It presents a rich vegetation of rare plant species. It also hosts a wide variety of birds, reptiles and amphibians, such as the Lizard of Ikaria (Lacerta oertzeni oertzeni), the Peregrine Falcon, the Lanner etc.