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Fauna & Flora 

FLORA
The islands are covered in Mediterranean coniferous forest and macchia vegetation such as the strawberry tree, the lentisc, the phillyrea, the heather, the rhamnus, the kermes oak, often in a form of treelike shrubs, and evergreen trees such as the maple, the wild olive, the phoenician juniper, and the rare tree Amelanchier chelmea. Phrygana is also common and consists of many species. Of particular interest are the chamofytes with several endemic species such as Campanula reiseri, Linum gyranium, Arenaria phitosiana, campanula rechingeri etc. Underwater sea-grass beds of the seaweed Poseidonia, which is particularly important for the development of other organisms and the retention and cycling of suspended particles and various substances in the marine environment, are widely spread and in excellent condition.

FAUNA
The area of the Park is an important habitat for many species of fish (about 300), birds (up to 80 species), reptiles and also mammals. The Mediterranean monk seal (Monachus-Monachus), the red corral (Coralium rubrum), Eleonora's Falcon (Falco eleonorae), Audouin's Gull (Larus audouinii), Shag (Phalacrocorax aristotelis), and the wild goat of Gioura (Capra aegagrus), are few of the most charasteristic rare species to be found. Some of the birds to be seen are the eagle Hieraetus fasciatus, the cormorant (Phalacrocorax aristotelis) and the white gull (Larus cacchinans), and, nesting among the rocks, the Apus capus and Apus melba, the Rock Nuthatch (Sitta neumayer), etc. The existing flora also favours the presence of species of the family Sylvidae, eg. the Sardinian Warbler (Sylvia melanocephala) and the Blackcap (Silvia articapilla). Underwater fauna is also varied, with many benthic and fish species. Various species of dolphins and some whale species are the common dolphin (Delphinus Delphis), the striped dolphin (Stenella coeruleoalba), the long-finned pilot whale (Gllobicephala melaera), and the whale Physter catodon.

The richness and variety of wildlife and beatiful scenery justly characterise the Park as an area of great aesthetic and biological value and demand that it be protected and respected by as all.
 
SEABIRDS OF THE NMPANS THREATENED WITH EXTINTION
Audouin's Gull (Larus audouinii)
This is one of the endagered species of sea birds. It nests in colonies on small, uninhabited, flat and usually rocky islands. It is a non-migratory species, although it moves about considerably. It feeds mainly on fish and less often on invertebrates, small birds and plant matter.

Its worldwide distibution is limited. It nests only in the Mediterranean, mainly in its western part but also in the Aegean. Its total population reaches 8000 pairs and it is estimated that Greece hosts about 40 pairs, with 90% of these nesting in the Park. The population in the whole of the eastern Mediterranean reaches 120-150 pairs.

The main threat to the survival of the species is its disturbance by man, but competition with the white gull is also important.

Shag (Phalacrocorax aristotelis)
This species lives exclusively in sea areas, nesting in small colonies, mainly on rock uninhabitated islands with cliffs. It lives on fish. Its total population is estimated to be about 200 pairs and its most important habitats in the Aegean are the Park area and the Dodecannese.

Even today, it is one of the birds in Greece about which little is known both as far as its distribution and ecology are concerned.

Eleonora's Falcon (Falco eleonorae)
This species nests in colonies consisting of anywhere between a few members up to more than 200 pairs, and are found rocky islands with cliffs. Its diet consists mainly of insects and small migratory birds. It is found on islands on the Mediterranean. Its most important colonies are found in Greece, which hosts 2/3 of its world population. There is a lot of controversy about the size of the population. An average estimation is 4500 pairs. The Park is one of its important habitats.