The geographical isolation of the area, the soil morphology, the limited human intervention as well as the excellent state of the landscape, make up a beautiful natural habitat and reserve as an ideal refugium for many endangered species of the terrestrial and marine flora and fauna.

Flora

Sporades Islands are covered by Mediterranean coniferous forests such as pine trees, macchia vegetation composed primarily of bushes and shrubs such as arbutuses, pistacia, mastics, phillyreas, heathers, buckthorns and kermes oaks (often in the form of a tree). We still meet evergreen trees, such as Cretan maple, wild olives trees, Phoenician junipers are also common in this area; a rare tree named Amelanchier chelmea is common here, too. There is also a wide variety of phrygana. The chasmophytic vegetation, with several indigenous plants such as (Campanula reiseri, Campanula rechingeri, Linum gyaricum, Areanaria phitosiana, etc.) is also very interesting. The underwater seagrass Posidonia oceanica plays an important role for the reproduction of other organisms, but also for the retention and recycling of various substances of the marine environment. These large underwater meadows are extensive and preserved in excellent condition.

Fauna

The area of the Marine Park is also a precious reserve for many fish species (about 300), birds (over 80 species), reptiles and also mammals. The Mediterranean monk seal (Monachus monachus), the red coral (Corallium rubrum),Eleonora’s falcon (Falco eleonorae), Audouin’s gull (Larus audouinii), the Common shag (Phalacrocorax aristotelis) and the wild goat of Gioura (Capra aegagrus) are some of the most characteristics rare species found in this area. Some of the birds living in the Marine Park are Bonelli’s eagles (Hieraaetus fasciatus), Great cormorants (Phalacrocorax carbo), Yellow-legged gulls (Larus cachinnans), and swifts (Apus apus & Apus melba). Various species of the Sylviidae family are also encountered here, such as the the Sardinian warbler (Sylvia melanocephala) and the Blackcap (Sylvia articapilla).

The marine fauna with numerous benthic and pelagic species is also very diverse. Dolphins and some whale species are also live within the area of the Marine Park. Common dolphins (Delphinus delphis), striped dolphins (Stenella coeruleoalba), bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus), Sperm whales (Physeter macrocephalus) and Cuvier’s beaked whales (Ziphius cavirostris) are the most common species of dolphins and whales found here.