The site includes the mountain complex Antichasia and the area of Kalambaka in the south and has forested hills and a river valley, formed at the rivers Lithaios and Mourgkas. The parent material of the rocks mainly consists of limestones and flyschs. The area is characterized by a mosaic morphology; the forests and arborescent matorrals and shrubs are situated in forest plots, each under a different ownership status. Regarding the vegetation, there are dry siliceous grasslands, broadleaved deciduous woodlands and alluvial and very wet riparian forests with Platanus orientalis, Salix alba and Alnus glutinosa, and brush. The dominant tree species in the deciduous forest is Quercus frainetto, mixing occasionaly with Q. cerris (code 41.762, Corine 91) or with Q. pubescens (code 41.733, Corine 91) and Q. cessiliflora also occur. It must be noted that in a large part of the site that used to be covered by oak forests in the past the vegetation is now degraded and the area is covered by herbaceous vegetation, while at places the parent rock material is revealed. The agricultural land, with cereals and vineyards, is extensive. The characteristic feature of the area of Kalambaka is the spectacular formation of the steep, bare rocks of Meteora.NOTE ON BIOGEOGRAPHIC REGION: Antichasia mountains (Meterizia 1382 m; Oxia 1416 m), characterized Quercion cerris and Fagetalia, could be considered part of the sub-continental and continental biogeographic region.
The site is characterized of the presence of a variety of fairly well conserved arborescent and woody ecotypes. An exceptional feature of the area is its biodiversity; it is of great botanical and zoological value due to the presence of a large number of endemic and threatened species, legally protected at national and international level. More specifically the area has been characterized a one of the Important Bird Areas (IBA). More specifically, large numbers of birds of prey are found here, including the rare and endangered Egyptian Vulture and Black Kite. Other species include the Lesser Spotted Eagle, Booted Eagle, Short-toed Eagle, Lanner Falcon, Peregrine Falcon and Long-legged Buzzard. Furthermore, Black Storks and Rollers are quite common, while the numbers of Woodpecker species (Black, White-spotted, Middle Spotted) are at high levels. Finally there's a breeding colony of Little Egrets. Regarding the other animal species, the populations of the mammalians are high and there are many species of reptiles. The presence of important invertebrates has also been observed. The flora has not been extensively studied yet. However, the presence of two stenoendemic species, Centaurea kalambakensis (at very small populations, at Meteora olny) and C. lactiflora (also small population. restricted at the area Koniskos village, N.E. of Kalambaka), as well as the geomorphology (e.g., Meteora) and the vegetation structure of the area, make the investigation of the flora very promising. In addition to its ecological value, the site has a great aesthetic and cultural value. The singular rock formations of Meteora have been disignated as a World Heritage Site (UNESCO). The historical importance of the site, closely related to the monasteries that are built on their tops (church tradition, byzantine art, agiography) should also be noted, since Meteora have been an important religious centre. OTHER IMPORTANT SPECIES WITH MOTIVATION D: Plants: Anthemis cretica ssp. cretica (Anthemis meteorica) is included in the he IUCN Red List of threatened species (1993), characterized as "Rare" and is protected by the Greek Law (Presidential Decree 67/81). Mammals: Tadarida teniotis teniotis (also included in the CORINE checklist of threatened animals) Talpa romana, Glis glis argenteus, Mustela nivalis and Sciurus vulgaris are protected by the Greek Law (Presidential Decree 67/81); T. teniotis teniotis is included in the CORINE checklist of threatened animals (1988); Felis sylvestris and Canis lupus are considered a species of Community interest, the former included in Annex IV of the Directive 92/43/EEC and the latter is Annex II (for populations above the 39th meridian). Amphibians-Reptiles: The species Triturus alpestris, Coluber gemonensis, Lacerta viridis, Lacerta trilineata, Coronella austriaca, and Podarcis muralis are protected by the Greek Law (Presidential Decree 67/81); C. austriaca is also included in the CORINE checklist of threatened reptiles. Vipera ammodytes is protected by the Greek Law (Presidential Decree 67/81). Rana ridibunda is included in Annex V of the Directive 92/43/EEC.Invertebrates: the following lepidopters are considered threatened in Europe (Heath J., 1981; Dabrowski): Spialia phlomidis, Erynnis marloyi, Iolana iolas, Lasiomatta petropolitana, and Maculinea arion. Maculinea arion a rare and significant species (Koomen & van Helsdingen, 1993) is included in the he IUCN Red List of threatened species (1993), characterized as "Vulnerable" and in Annex IV of the Directive 92/43/EEC. Stylurus flavipes is a rare and significant species considered threatened and in need of protection in Europe (Koomen & van Helsdingen, 1993; Van Tol & Verdonk, 1988; Collins N.M. & Wells N.M., 1987 and is included in Annex IV of the Directive 92/43/EEC.
The riparian forests are threatened. The trees of the old Platanus orientalis forests are being cut and, generally, the habitats of the area are in the danger of losing their initial structure. Human activities that include arable farming, stock farming, hunting, tourism and recreation constitute a threat to the populations of the animal and plant species. Vulture populations have crashed. Griffon, Lammergeier are extinct as breeding species, while the Egyptian Vulture has been reduced to a handful of pairs. The main reasons are the extensive use of poisoned baits, lack of food and increased human disturbance. Moreover, the endemic plant Centaurea lactiflora, found only near Koniskos village, is endangered.