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A main element of the quality and importance of the site is its high biodiversity, explicit in the variety of habitat types and in the plenitude of endemic and local endemic plants and invertebrates existing in the area. This high degree of endemism (e.g, species endemic to Ikaria, such as Symphytum icaricum and species endemic to the East Aegean, such as Cephalaria squamiflora ssp. squamiflora, Onopordum majorii and Arenaria muralis), derives mainly from the geographical location of Icaria island (very close to Asia Minor) as well as from the high altitudes and the fair variety of biotopes existing within the proposed site. It must be mentioned, as well, that due to the isolation from the main tourist areas of Greece and the limited human activities within the site, the Pinus brutia forests and the mixed Cupressus sempervirens formations on Icaria island are at a very good conservation status. Most noteworthy is the presence of the local endemic and endangered species Iberis arbuscula (previously Iberis runemarkii) listed in section 3.2.g., Annex II plants which is protected by the Bern Convention and by the Greek Law (Presidential Decreee 67/81). Only one population of this species is known, north of Plagia. In addition, the undisturbed marine biotopes which maintain an excellent conservation status, mainly on Fournoi islands, offer a representative ecosystem for the survival and conservation of rare or endangered species in the Mediterranean region, such as the monk seal (Monachus monachus) and dolphin (Tursiops truncatus). Fournoi islands, an area of significant aesthetic and ecological value, function as an important shelter for birds of prey, for instance Hieraaetus sp. or Falco sp., due to their position at eastern part of the Aegean Sea and the neighbouring to the mainland of Asia Minor. It is also a very important staging post for bird migration on their seasonal coast flyway. It is for the above reasons that this area forms an environment ideal for the creation of an east-mediterranean marine park. OTHER IMPORTANT SPECIES WITH MOTIVATION DPlants: The endemic species Linum gyaricum, Verbascum ikaricum, Nigella icarica, Polygonum icaricum, Symphytum icarisum (a local endemic), Rorippa icarica are protected by the Greek Law (Presidential Decree 67/81) and are included in the European Red List of Globally threatened plants and in the IUCN Red Data List (1993), in the category of threatened plants characterised as Rare, all except O. majorii whose degree of threat is inteterminate. The following species are protected by the Greek Law (Presidential Decree 67/81) and are included in the IUCN Red Data List (1988, 1993) in the category of threatened plants: Pteris dentata (endangered, in Greece and Europe while its World status is unknown); Corydalis integra, Muscari macrocarpum and Galanthus ikariae (rare in Greece and in Europe), all endemic to the East Mediterranean Region; Campanula hagielia (rare) also included in European List of Globally Threatened Animals and Plants. Galanthus ikariae is also protected by the CITES convention, Annex BII). The species Digitalis cariensis (only in Ikaria in Greece), Dianthus elegans and Symphytum anatolicum are mediterranean endemics, occurring in Anatolia and only in the East Aegan islands in Europe; Luzula nodulosa is endemic to the East Mediterranean Region, occurring only in S Greece and Aegean islands in Europe. Amphibians: Bufo viridis is included in Annex IV of the Directive 92/43/EEC and in the CORINE-Checklist of threatened animals and is protected by the Greek law (Presidential Decree 67/1981). Mammals: Stenella caeruleoalba is included in Annex IV of the Directive 92/43/EEC and is protected by CITES 1973. Reptiles: Ophisops elegans, Agama stellio, Ophiosaurus apodus and Coluber jugularis are included in Annex IV of the Directive 92/43/EEC and protected by the Greek law (Presidential Decree 67/1981). The species Cyrtodactylus kotschyii and Malpolon monspessulanus are protected by the Greek law 67/1981. Ablepharus kitaibelii is included in Annex IV of the Directive 92/43/EEC and is considered an important species in Europe (Koomen & van Helsdingen, 1993). In addition, the species Ophisops elegans, Agama stellio and Cyrtodactylus kotschyii are included in Corine-Checklist of threatened animals.Invertebrates: The species Hipparchia aristaeus and Gonepteryx rhamni are protected by the Greek law (Presidential Decree 67/1981). The species Hydraena subinoides is in need of protection (M. Jaech). Another species, Saturnia pyri, is included in IUCN (1988) list of threatened species. |
