Since 1937, Greece has begun to recognise areas exhibiting high ecological interest (forests, wetlands, etc) and to put them under special protection. The initial measures taken to this end consisted in the absolute protection of natural areas, banning all human activities.

• Preserved natural monuments 
  This category includes individual trees or clumps of trees of outstanding botanical, paleontological, aesthetic, historical and cultural value, as well as areas of great ecological, paleontological or geomorphologic interest. The relevant legislation was enacted  under the forest code.  Today the designated preserved natural monuments amount to 51 and cover a total area of 16,840 hectares.  Most monuments occupy just a few square meters.  In total, the land area covered corresponds to 0.12% of the country’s territory, while 21.32 hectares are in marine environment. 

   

  List of Preserved Natural Monuments
  

• Marine parks In Greece there are two marine parks protected under law: the National Marine Park of Alonissos-Northern Sporades (1992) and the Zakynthos National Marine Park (1999)
  
  
• Wetlands of international importance These are included in the International Convention of Ramsar (1971) signed by Greece and ratified by virtue of Legislative Decree 191/74. There are 10 wetlands on Greek territory listed below:

For more detailed information, contact:
-Greek Biotope & Wetland Centre – The Goulandris Natural History Museum
-Hellenic Ornithological Society