Current view: Text account
Site description (2000 baseline):
Site location and context
A rugged mountainous area of Crete. The northern area of the site is dominated by maquis, the south by conifer forests. The main human activities are hunting, livestock-farming and tourism.
This is an important site for breeding and passage raptors, and for species characteristic of scrub and montane habitats.
Pressure/threats to key biodiversity
The construction of new roads is a major threat. Part of the area is a candidate SAC.
National Partial
International Partial4,850 ha of IBA covered by National Park (Samaria, 4,850 ha). Part of IBA covered by Wildlife Refuge (Stylou-Katochoriou, 1,050 ha). 4,850 ha of IBA covered by Biogenetic Reserve (Council of Europe) (Ethnikos Drymos Samarias (Core area), 4,850 ha). 4,840 ha of IBA covered by Biosphere Reserve (Gorge of Samaria National Park, 4,840 ha). 5,068 ha of IBA covered by Special Protection Area (Ethnikos Drymos Samarias Lefka Ori, 5,068 ha).
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: Lefka Ori mountains, Crete (Greece). Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/lefka-ori-mountains-crete-iba-greece on 23/12/2024.
