Syrna island and surrounding islets (1140)
Greece, Europe
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Global KBA criteria: A1d
Year of last assessment: 2000
National site name: Nisos Syrna kai nisides
Central coordinates: Latitude: 36.2167, Longitude: 26.6667
System: marine, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 0 to 322
Area of KBA (km2): 9.41382
Protected area coverage (%): 99.94
KBA classification: Global
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: The site lies to the south-east of the island of Astypalea. The islets are dominated by Juniperus scrub and phrygana. Human activities include stock-raising, fishing, and arable agriculture.
Rationale for qualifying as KBA: This site qualifies as a Key Biodiversity Area of international significance that meets the thresholds for at least one criterion described in the Global Standard for the Identification of KBAs.
Additional biodiversity: The area is important for passage migrants and breeding seabirds and raptors. Species of global conservation concern that do not meet IBA criteria: Larus audouinii (11 breeding pairs).
Habitats
Land use: agriculture (90%) | fisheries/aquaculture (10%)
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Marine Coastal/Supratidal | 5 | |
| Artificial - Terrestrial | 10 | |
| Shrubland | 70 | |
| Marine Neritic | 5 | |
| Grassland | 8 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: Threats include overgrazing, introduced rats and rabbits, abandonment of agriculture, illegal fishing, and hunting. Part of the area is a candidate SAC.
| Threat level 1 | Threat level 2 | Threat level 3 | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Invasive & other problematic species, genes & diseases | Invasive non-native/alien species/diseases | Named species | Ongoing |
| Energy production & mining | Renewable energy | Only in the future | |
| Human intrusions & disturbance | Work & other activities | Only in the future |