Key Biodiversity Areas

La Playa islet (1997)
Spain, Europe

Site overview


KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2011
National site name: Roque de la Playa
Central coordinates: Latitude: 28.4333, Longitude: -16.4833
System: marine, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 0 to 20
Area of KBA (km2): 1.89189
Protected area coverage (%): 98.43
KBA classification: Regional
Legacy site: Yes

Site details


Site description: A small rocky islet situated off the north coast of Tenerife, which has no infrastructure and supports salt-tolerant vegetation.
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: The site is important for breeding Bulweria bulwerii. In 1996 20 chicks were observed, and more than 20 pairs probably breed.
Delineation rationale: 2015-04-23 (BL Secretariat): site area adjusted from 1 ha (IBA2000) to 210 ha (Arcos et al. 2009).

Habitats


Land use: fisheries/aquaculture (100%)
IUCN HabitatCoverage %Habitat detail
Marine Neritic95
Marine Coastal/Supratidal5

Threats


Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: A few incidents have been recorded of disturbance to breeding birds caused by fishermen.
Threat level 1Threat level 2Threat level 3Timing
PollutionExcess energyLight pollutionOngoing
Residential & commercial developmentTourism & recreation areasOnly in the future
Human intrusions & disturbanceRecreational activitiesOngoing
Human intrusions & disturbanceRecreational activitiesOnly in the future
PollutionGarbage & solid wasteOnly in the future
Climate change & severe weatherStorms & floodingOngoing