Lanzarote islets (1969)
Spain, Europe
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Global KBA criteria: D1a
Year of last assessment: 2011
National site name: Archipiélago Chinijo (Islotes al Norte de Lanzarote)
Central coordinates: Latitude: 29.2333, Longitude: -13.5000
System: marine, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 0 to 266
Area of KBA (km2): 1400.35689
Protected area coverage (%): 100.00
KBA classification: Global
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: A group of five rocky islands that support drought-resistant vegetation: La Graciosa (coordinates as above), Montaña Clara (29°17'N, 13°32'W), Roque del Este (29°18'N, 13°31'W), Roque del Oeste (29°16'N, 13°20'W) and Alegranza (29°23'N, 13°30'W). Human activities are mainly related to conservation and research, and fishing.
Rationale for qualifying as KBA: This site qualifies as a Key Biodiversity Area of international significance that meets the thresholds for at least one criterion described in the Global Standard for the Identification of KBAs.
Additional biodiversity: The site holds some of the highest numbers of breeding seabirds and raptors in the Canaries.
Delineation rationale: 2015-04-23 (BL Secretariat): site area adjusted from 4000 ha (IBA2000) to 126640 ha (Arcos et al. 2009).
Habitats
Land use: fisheries/aquaculture | nature conservation and research (100%)
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Desert | 33 | |
| Marine Coastal/Supratidal | 33 | |
| Marine Intertidal | 33 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: Feral cats Felis catus, introduced rabbits Oryctolagus cuniculus and illegal hunting pose the main threats to breeding birds. Some 2,000-3,000 Calonectris diomedea chicks are poached every year, which impacts heavily on the local population. The area is a game refuge. La Laguna University undertakes research work, and monitoring of bird numbers is ongoing.
| Threat level 1 | Threat level 2 | Threat level 3 | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Agriculture & aquaculture | Annual & perennial non-timber crops | Small-holder farming | Ongoing |
| Agriculture & aquaculture | Livestock farming & ranching | Small-holder grazing, ranching or farming | Ongoing |
| Biological resource use | Hunting & collecting terrestrial animals | Intentional use (species being assessed is the target) | Ongoing |
| Biological resource use | Fishing & harvesting aquatic resources | Unintentional effects: large scale (species being assessed is not the target) [harvest] | Ongoing |
| Invasive & other problematic species, genes & diseases | Invasive non-native/alien species/diseases | Named species | Ongoing |
| Invasive & other problematic species, genes & diseases | Problematic native species/diseases | Named species | Only in the future |
| Pollution | Domestic & urban waste water | Type Unknown/Unrecorded | Ongoing |
| Pollution | Excess energy | Noise pollution | Ongoing |
| Pollution | Excess energy | Light pollution | Ongoing |
| Pollution | Industrial & military effluents | Oil spills | Ongoing |
| Residential & commercial development | Housing & urban areas | Ongoing | |
| Human intrusions & disturbance | Recreational activities | Ongoing | |
| Pollution | Garbage & solid waste | Ongoing |