La Palma laurel forest (2017)
Spain, Europe
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Global KBA criteria: B1, B2
Year of last assessment: 2011
National site name: Monteverde de La Palma
Central coordinates: Latitude: 28.7333, Longitude: -17.8167
System: terrestrial
Elevation (m): 100 to 2200
Area of KBA (km2): 313.17202
Protected area coverage (%): 70.04
KBA classification: Global
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: A large mountainous area in the north-east of La Palma with deep gullies, exposed bedrock, inland cliffs, laurel Laurus forest and agricultural land. There are few villages and roads in the area. Human activities include livestock-farming.
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: One of the most important areas in the Canary Islands for Columba junoniae. The site is also important for other endemic birds.
Habitats
Land use: agriculture (26%) | forestry | hunting | nature conservation and research | tourism/recreation
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Forest | 26 | |
| Introduced Vegetation | 15 | |
| Rocky Areas(e.g., inland cliffs, mountain peaks) | 15 | |
| Artificial - Terrestrial | 15 | |
| Wetlands(Inland) | 15 | |
| Shrubland | 15 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: Forest fires (some man-made) pose a major threat. Although agricultural activity is on the decrease in forested areas, the cutting of branches for use in tomato/banana cultivation continues to have a large impact on the laurel forest. Illegal hunting and predation by introduced rats Rattus greatly affect both species of Columba. Parts of the site form a game reserve. Various censuses, studies and conservation campaigns have centred on the two Columba species.
| Threat level 1 | Threat level 2 | Threat level 3 | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Biological resource use | Hunting & collecting terrestrial animals | Intentional use (species being assessed is the target) | Ongoing |
| Biological resource use | Gathering terrestrial plants | Unintentional effects (species being assessed is not the target) | Ongoing |
| Invasive & other problematic species, genes & diseases | Invasive non-native/alien species/diseases | Named species | Ongoing |
| Residential & commercial development | Housing & urban areas | Only in the future | |
| Transportation & service corridors | Roads & railroads | Ongoing | |
| Human intrusions & disturbance | Recreational activities | Ongoing | |
| Pollution | Garbage & solid waste | Ongoing |