Los Gigantes coastal cliff (1994)
Spain, Europe
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2011
National site name: Acantilado de Los Gigantes
Central coordinates: Latitude: 28.2833, Longitude: -16.8833
System: marine, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 0 to 600
Area of KBA (km2): 12.18435
Protected area coverage (%): 99.70
KBA classification: Regional
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: Sea cliffs and large gullies on the north-west side of Tenerife island. They support typical rocky vegetation that includes endemic Limonium species. Human activities include sport boating.
Rationale for qualifying as KBA: This site qualifies as a Key Biodiversity Area of international significance that was identified using previously established criteria and thresholds for the identification of Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas (IBAs) and for which available data indicate that it does not meet global KBA criteria and thresholds set out in the Global Standard.
Additional biodiversity: One of the most significant sites in Tenerife for cliff-nesting seabirds and raptors.
Habitats
Land use: fisheries/aquaculture | hunting | tourism/recreation (26%)
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Marine Neritic | 25 | |
| Marine Coastal/Supratidal | 50 | |
| Shrubland | 25 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: Rats Rattus prey on the eggs and chicks of breeding birds, which are also sensitive to disturbance caused by tourist activities (such as open-air sports), illegal hunting and fishing (for example, Pandion haliaetus). Several studies and censuses of seabirds and raptors have taken place, and the local government undertakes monitoring of breeding P. haliaetus.
| Threat level 1 | Threat level 2 | Threat level 3 | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Agriculture & aquaculture | Livestock farming & ranching | Small-holder grazing, ranching or farming | Ongoing |
| Agriculture & aquaculture | Marine & freshwater aquaculture | Subsistence/artisinal aquaculture | 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 | Ongoing |
| Pollution | Excess energy | Light pollution | Ongoing |
| Residential & commercial development | Housing & urban areas | Ongoing | |
| Residential & commercial development | Tourism & recreation areas | Ongoing | |
| Energy production & mining | Renewable energy | Ongoing | |
| Human intrusions & disturbance | Recreational activities | Ongoing | |
| Geological events | Avalanches/landslides | Ongoing |