The area presents an intense relief, which creates special microenvironments all over the forest. It is characterized by a variety of sceneries, high biodiversity, presence of many species of animals and plants endemic to Crete and Greece, rare vegetive formations, rare and endangered species.
The most prevalent tree in the forest is the holly (Quercus coccifera). In the forest of Rouvas there is the biggest tuft of hollies in Europe. We also meet in the forest Maples (Acer sempervirens), which at the end of autumn present amazing colors. At the humid ravines of the forest we shall see very high platans (Platanus oriendalis) a related species of which is the evergreen species (cretica) found in Gortina. Furthermore there are cypresses (Cupressus sempervirens), pines (Pinus brutia) and holm oaks (Quercus ilex).
High in Diplori there is the anegnoro (Zelkova abelicea) a protected and endemic species to Crete.
We also find in the forest the cretan cephalanthera (Cephalanthera cucullata) an orchid endemic to Crete and endangered species.
Up in the mountain we will also find mountain tea or malotira (Sideritis syriaca) and beautiful cyclamens (Cyclamen creticum).
Many animals live in the forest like the animal "ghost" the Cretan wildcat (Felis silvestris) endemic to Crete, the badger or asvos (Meles meles) with the very intricate holes it digs, the weasel (Martes foina) that used to be hunted for its skin, the Kalogiannou (Mustela nivalis, common weasel) and the hare (Lepus europaeus) whose merciless hunter is the Cretan tracer, and if you are particularly observant you shall see popping up from leaves the Mioxos (Mouse-squirrel – Glis Glis Argenteus).
In these places of brushwood we can also find the spiny mouse (Acomys minys), the shrew (Crocidura zimmermanni), the harmless lizard (Chalcides ocellatus) and many other animals, including the frog (Rana tiribunda) and the Aquatic turtle (Greek Turtle).
An excellent delicacy for local residents is the snail (Helix aspersa), but also the thin one.
In addition, the forest is very important for the ornithological fauna, especially that of raptors. We shall meet flights of vultures (Gyps fulvus), or some solitary bearded vulture or kokala (Gypaetus barbatus), or even some Vitsila or Golden eagle (Aquila chrysaetos). Up in the sky we shall see the red-tailed hawks (Buteo-buteo) searching for their prey, while chukars (Alectoris graeca), add a melodic tone to the atmosphere. The rock thrush or blue rock thrush (Monticola solitarius) is a rare bird, while οι chaffinches (Fringilla coelebs) and sigardelia or goldfinches (Carduelis - carduelis), fill the atmosphere with melodic notes. In winter we might find the nest of a woodcock or skalortha (Scalopax rusticola), while bees (Apis mellifera) and colorful butterflies color the atmosphere and guarantee the life of the plants.
The most important problems and dangers that the forest faces are the following: excessive grazing, dissolution of the ground which is reinforced by the destruction of vegetation, the forest’s senescence, the constant reduction of preys due to lack of food and to an intense hunting activity, and forest fires.
In residents’ conscience the forest has been established as that element which is closely connected with the social, economical and cultural activity of the surrounding settlements. Stockbreeders of the area have a direct economical relation with the forest. The forest constitutes for residents a source of life (economical, social, cultural) and there is the necessary social approval for interventions aiming at its protection and promotion.
Measures for the protection of the area were put into action by the Municipality of Rouvas in cooperation with the Forest Direction of Heraklio and A.K.O.M.M.A.E. (Developmental Center of Mountainous Milopotamos and Malevizi) in the context of the program Life Nature, when a large part of the forest core was enclosed for its protection against grazing and for inauguration of natural regeneration. The enclosed area is characterized by lack of regeneration, spots presenting intense erosion, existence of very old trees, relatively big inclinations, severe grazing. It’s mostly the holly that forms tufts, but there are also groups of trees or isolated species of other trees of the forest.
