General Information
Ranti forest is very close to villages
Ranti Forest lies at the western edge of the Athera mountain chain of central Ikaria Island and covers an area of approximately 1,600 hectares (16km2). The area demonstrates a dynamic variation in altitude ranging from 200m to 800m above sea level, with steep ravines and precipices carved out by seasonal rivers. The forest has an average age, which spans over two centuries, with some of the oldest trees exceeding 300 years. Along with characteristic Mediterranean habitats a unique Quercus ilex (Holm oak) habitat can be seen. The history of Ranti is intriguing with many dry stone walls and shelters scattered around the landscape showing an ancient presence.
The size of the trees can only be understood when compared with our size
At the end of the last ice age (10,000 years previous) much of Europe was covered in areas of dense Holm oak habitat. Since then human kind has exploited much of the forest habitat of Europe and the Holm oak species is no exception to this. The stiff wood from oak was used as a fuel (for cooking and charcoal) and for shipbuilding. The oak apple was used in tanning and also as a fodder, which decreased the sizes of many Holm oak forests around Europe. Ranti is one of the few forests of its size remaining; for the north east Mediterranean certainly and possibly the whole of Europe. Holm oak has been present in the Mediterranean since, at least, the Miocene (5 million years ago) and this historical significance is just one reason why Ranti Forest should be protected.
Centuries of ship building, charcoal production, agriculture and construction have exhausted much of the ancient landscape and today’s anthropogenic impacts are increasing stresses on this environment. It has been subjected to organised illegal felling and uncontrolled overgrazing as well as forest fires. At the north and west of the forest there are settlements, which over time have encroached upon the forest boundaries. Currently the state controls the forest through the Forestry Service, however the resources do not belong to anyone and there is no enforced management here. It would be beneficial, therefore, to protect the remaining area of Ranti to conserve this unique ecosystem for future generations.
Quercus ilex habitat
Within the forest there are big slopes
The evergreen Holm oak is characterised by small, dark green, sclerophylous leaves and the tree itself can reach 12m tall. Holm oak is the dominant species within Ranti, found in large groups or stands. Forests such as this, where holm oak is the only canopy tree, are a distinctive ecosystem of the Mediterranean (Roda et al.). From many areas of Ranti the view is striking and unquestionably Holm oak dominated as shown by surveys. It is also one of the 189 habitats listed in Annex I of the habitats directive (Habitats Directive, Annex I, ref: 9340), and its importance is therefore recognised, officially, at an EU level. The Holm oak offer stability to the area with shelter provided for additional fauna and soil stability for additional flora.
The magnificent Holm oak trees (Quercus ilex)
Jaume Terradas (1999) has noted how the holm oak is the dominant species in a transition zone between temperate and tropical regions (Roda et al.). This transitional zone will be sensitive to the rigours of climate change and currently experiences double stress with winter cold and summer drought. Climate change could dramatically decrease water resources beyond the threshold of the forests needs, which will cause dramatic changes to the landscape (Pinol et al 1995), in this case Ranti. So we have a resilient, unique environment in a transitional zone subject to fluctuating environmental conditions. The study of these conditions and this habitat will allow for best practice procedures to be put in place in order to conserve the ecosystem. Therefore a meteorological station is required. Archipelagos is planning to establish one in the near future, where all the data will be collected and analysed by Archipelagos’ forest research team.
Besides Holm oak, there are many other species of both flora and fauna, which reside in the forest and contribute to the ecological value of the area.
Additional Species
Greek strawberry trees (Arbutus andrachne), have a yellow-red bark that looks like a man's body
Other plant species in Ranti include members of the oak genus (Quercus Pubescens, Quercus coccifera), the strawberry tree (Arbutus unedo)and the Greek strawberry tree(Arbutus andrachne).
The area is also of importance to many animals and insects including a sub-species of the Anatolian Rock Lizard (Lacerta anatolica oertzeni), that is endemic to Ikaria.
The hedgehog and the stone marten are both found within the forest and listed on the IUCN Red List, yet again another reason for conservation. Many bird species are found within the forest and are listed as important under various conventions. The alpine swift, house martin,and kestrel, all of which are protected via the Bern convention, are seen sporadically around the forest. Finally the sparrowhawk has been identified as being a priority for funding from the EU in the 79/409/EEC directive and therefore further cements the conservation interest of Ranti.
Importance of Ranti forest
A 325 years-old Holm oak (Quercus ilex)
Ranti Forest accounts for 23% of the whole forest area found on the island of Ikaria, and 94% of the Municipality of Evdilos. It is the largest un-fragmented area of Quercus ilex forest in Greece, while also being the last remaining forest, of this size and age, within the North Eastern Mediterranean. As
Quercus ilex is rarely found forming forests in the Mediterranean region, and hence Ranti Forest has a great significance at an EU level.
Q. ilex habitats used to be one of the most dominant forest habitats in the Aegean islands. Today, Ranti forest is the only one that currently remains in its traditional natural forest form, in the region of the Aegean. The abundance of old growth Quercus ilex trees found dotted around Ikaria island verifies the fact that once the island was covered in dense Q. ilex forest. Ranti Forest is now the only remaining part of this once extensive woodland and still supports a large number of old trees, several of which exceed 300 years in age, and therefore its conservation should become a recognised priority.
Evergreen forests dominated by Q. ilex, used to be one of the most extensive types of forest in the Mediterranean basin. However in the eastern Mediterranean it has been replaced by Q. coccifera L. (Kermes Oak). Nowadays, Q. ilex found in Mediterranean ecosystems rarely forms forests, much more commonly, it occurs as brushwood where it forms very dense growths, sheltering many herbaceous species. Therefore these trees are rarely seen in their climax state, where they form very dense and dark woods between 12 and 15m in height.
Q. ilex forests and their management, have received to date little scientific attention in the eastern Mediterranean region, due to the rarity of the habitat, and hence Ranti Forest can produce valuable scientific information, at a national and EU level.
Threats
Overgrazing
Overgrazing is one of the biggest threats
Many flocks of goats are left to their own devices in Ranti Forest and the vegetation suffers as a result. It has been documented that grazing can have positive influences in relation to increasing biodiversity. However, in Ranti this is not the case. With estimates that 3,000 goats graze within the boundaries of the Ranti Forest and the visual evidence available it is clear that large, irreversible damage is ongoing.
The mature, tall trees are not affected by grazing as much as the younger and smaller trees. Seedlings and young trees are most at risk from grazing and once eaten they will never recover from the damage, which will destroy the forests chance of regeneration. This implies there is a risk that the forest will not survive for future generations. Holm Oakis not the only species at risk. The Greek strawberry tree is also at high risk from grazing, as the coarse bark appears to be a preferred grazing choice.
Fire
Forest fire is common place in Mediterranean ecosystems. Access to Ranti Forest is difficult and there is no appropriate detection system or policies in place for fire. For these reasons fires cannot be detected easily and are therefore of high risk for the safety of the forest and its biodiversity. A fire on the perimeter of the forest in the past is a fine example of the unmonitored current situation in the forest area. A fire in Ranti could be fatal and due to the influence of overgrazing the regeneration of the forest would be impossible.
By recording the tree-aging in different areas, we can understand the past human impact
A Damaged Holm oak (Quercus ilex)
Logging
Timber is of vital importance for humans for construction and heating. For many years, uncontrolled logging has taken place within Ranti Forest. Local people approach accessible parts of the forest, (i.e. beside roads), and fell trees for their own personal use. The subsequent result is the annual reduction of the forest boundary. This will continue as long as uncontrolled logging persists and the habitat loss will be detrimental to many plant and animal species.
Additionally, local people are inexperienced in cutting trees and do so at the wrong stage of growth, wrong time of year and in some cases cut the wrong part of the tree. This has led to much deadwood and decay, which supports the growth of fungus. This fungus and decay have spread to surrounding healthy trees and provide an extra stress on the environment. It is an obvious statement that this kind of logging is unsustainable! The logging, mainly for firewood and timber, without a management plan and permission of the relevant authorities, is illegal. Although logging can be part of a beneficial management plan, the uncontrolled situation within the last few decades, has proven to be particularly damaging for Ranti Forest.
Holm oaks are having a variety in their formations | 
Among the forest, one can find fallen trees
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Disease and Invertebrates
Holm oak is a resilient species, which is not easily affected by insects and/or fungi. Many tree species, however, can become susceptible to damage if bark is broken/ split or if they are overgrazed. Some trees in Ranti Forest are in states of rot, decay, and hence; these trees are susceptible to disease. Numerous herbivorous insects can be found on Q. ilex trees within Ranti forest. Due to a lack of balance of the ecosystem, many species which normally do not pose a threat (i.e. the bark beetle - Cerambyx cerdo), have the potential to thrive and damage many trees in the forest.
Most of the holes are bark beetles, like Cerambyxcerdo, exit holes; the adult has gone and there are no larvae inside | 
Invertebrates are creating routes within the bark of the Holm oak |