The small island is located in the nature reserve (NSG) "Insel Koos, Kooser See und Wampener Riff" 10 kilometres northwest of Greifwald. This comprises 1,560 hectares of coastal flooding and shallow water areas. These so-called coastal inundation marshes are characteristic of the Bodden coast and have been largely destroyed by dykes and drainage since the middle of the 20th century. Following the dyking of the Karrendorf meadows near the island, 360 hectares were returned to natural coastal dynamics and integrated into the existing nature reserve. Animal and plant species are adapted to the prevailing extreme conditions and many are endangered.