Nature
Mount Ampelos (Karvounis)
Code: GR4120002
Area: 4,896.61 ha
Region: North Aegean
Protection: SCI
Managing Authority: North Aegean
In the center of Samos lies area GR4120002, which includes Mount Ampelos with its highest peak, Prophet Elias (1,093 m). The area contains coniferous forests with Pinus brutia and evergreen broadleaved shrublands.
The habitat types of Directive 92/43/EEC found in area GR4120002 are:
- 4090 (48.8828 ha),
- 5420 (10.4329 ha),
- 8210 (0.89327 ha),
- 92C0 (4.00781 ha),
- 9530 (1,697.05 ha),
- 9540 (2,269.84 ha).
No flora species from Annex II of Directive 92/43/EEC are found, but other important species recorded include:
Acantholimon echinus subsp. echinus, Asperula samia, Astragalus ptilodes, Cephalanthera epipactoides, Colchicum boissieri, Corydalis integra, Crocus olivieri subsp. balsanae, Datisca cannabina, Epipactis helleborine, Erodium sibthorpianum subsp. vetteri, Fritillaria bithynica, Fritillaria carica, Galanthus elwesii, Genista parnassica, Listera ovata, Lomelosia polykratis, Onopordum majorii, Orchis tridentata, Ranunculus subhomophyllus, Scutellaria rubicunda subsp. icarica, Silene urvillei, Thymus samius, Tordylium hirtocarpum, Verbascum ikaricum.
Source: https://eunis.eea.europa.eu
Alyki Beach
and Aliki Psili Ammos
Code: GR4120001
Area: 307.07 ha
Region: North Aegean
Protection: SCI
Managing Authority: North Aegean
Area GR4120001 is located in the Municipality of Eastern Samos and includes the wetland Alyki, with dominant species: Limonium sinuatum, L. vulgare, Juncus heldreichianus, Juncus acutus, Phragmites australis, Sarcopoterium spinosum, and Tamarix spp.
Important flora species:
No species from Annex II of Directive 92/43/EEC are found. Other important species recorded: Ophrys bombyliflora, Thymus samius.
Sources:
https://eunis.eea.europa.eu/alyki
https://eunis.eea.europa.eu
Mount Kerketeus
Mikro & Megalo Seitani
Chestnut & Lekkas Forest
Akra Katavasis – Limenas
Code: GR4120003
Area: 6,721.08 ha
Region: North Aegean
Protection: SCI
Managing Authority: North Aegean
Area GR4120003 is located in western Samos and includes Mount Kerkis (elevation 1,434 m). The area is well-forested with conifers (Pinus brutia and Cupressus sempervirens) and evergreen broadleaves.
Vegetation zones and subzones:
- Oleo-Ceratonion (sea level–250/300 m): evergreen shrublands, Pinus brutia forests.
- Quercion ilicis (up to 600–700 m): Quercus ilex, Fraxinus ornus, Arbutus unedo. Pinus brutia grows best here.
- Quercetalia pubescentis (up to 900–1000 m): deciduous species (Crataegus, Prunus, Rosa, Quercus pubescens), scattered Pinus nigra.
- Daphno-Festucetalia (higher altitudes): cushion-forming and spiny shrubs (Astragalus, Genista parnassica, Acantholimon androsaceum, etc.).
Junipers: Juniperus phoenicea, J. oxycedrus (lower altitudes), Juniperus foetidissima (higher altitudes). Well-formed stands of Cupressus sempervirens also occur.
Habitat types of Directive 92/43/EEC present:
1210 (2.33813 ha), 1240 (33.4108 ha), 2110 (2.04992 ha), 4090 (66.8047 ha), 5420 (1,003.7 ha), 8210 (89.4025 ha), 9290 (73.0723 ha), 92C0 (10.5189 ha), 92D0 (0.431003 ha), 9320 (0.493013 ha), 9540 (3,105.14 ha).
Flora species:
From Annex II of Directive 92/43/EEC: Consolida samia.
Other important species: Acantholimon echinus subsp. echinus, Alyssum samium, Anthemis rosea subsp. rosea, Arenaria guicciardii, Astragalus ptilodes, Centaurea xylobasis, Cyathophylla chlorifolia, Epipactis helleborine, Erodium sibthorpianum subsp. vetteri, Fritillaria bithynica, Galanthus elwesii, Genista parnassica, Hypericum cuisinii, Listera ovata, Muscari kerkis, Onopordum majorii, Papaver nigrotinctum, Pteris vittata, Pterocephalus pinardii, Ranunculus thasius, Scutellaria rubicunda subsp. icarica, Sideritis sipylea, Silene samia, Thymus samius, Tordylium hirtocarpum, Verbascum ikaricum.
Source: https://eunis.eea.europa.eu
Mount Kerkis
Code: GR4120008
Natura 2000 Site Name: SAMOS: OROS KERKIS
Area: 9,117.77 ha
Region: North Aegean
Protection: SPA
Managing Authority: North Aegean
Description:
Located in western Samos, includes Mount Kerkis (1,434 m). The area is well-forested with conifers (Pinus brutia, Cupressus sempervirens) and evergreen broadleaves.
Vegetation zones and subzones are the same as GR4120003 (Oleo-Ceratonion, Quercion ilicis, Quercetalia pubescentis, Daphno-Festucetalia). Junipers include J. phoenicea, J. oxycedrus (lower altitudes), J. foetidissima (higher altitudes).
As this is an SPA, habitat types are not mapped.
Important flora species recorded: Acantholimon echinus subsp. echinus, Alyssum samium, Anthemis rosea subsp. rosea, Arenaria guicciardii, Astragalus ptilodes, Centaurea xylobasis, Cyathophylla chlorifolia, Epipactis helleborine, Erodium sibthorpianum subsp. vetteri, Fritillaria bithynica, Galanthus elwesii, Genista parnassica, Hypericum cuisinii, Listera ovata, Muscari kerkis, Onopordum majorii, Papaver nigrotinctum, Pteris vittata, Pterocephalus pinardii, Ranunculus thasius, Scutellaria rubicunda subsp. icarica, Sideritis sipylea, Silene samia, Thymus samius, Tordylium hirtocarpum, Verbascum ikaricum.
Source: https://eunis.eea.europa.eu
Lake Glyfada
Category: CORINE Biotope Site
Site Code: A00030001
Total Area: 10.42 ha
A small freshwater lake near the southeastern coast of Samos, identified as an important area for migratory birds, waders, and herons.
Notable amphibians/reptiles:
Lacerta oertzeni oertzeni (Ikaria Lizard), Natrix natrix persa (Persian Grass Snake).
Source: https://filotis.itia.ntua.gr
