Frontera laurel forest (2024)
Spain, Europe
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2011
National site name: Monteverde de Frontera
Central coordinates: Latitude: 27.7333, Longitude: -18.0167
System: terrestrial
Elevation (m): 0 to 1500
Area of KBA (km2): 24.444
Protected area coverage (%): 98.14
KBA classification: Global/Regional TBD
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: A large area covering parts of northern and western El Hierro. Heath, scrub and laurel Laurus forest are interspersed with exposed bedrock and inland cliffs that support rocky vegetation.
Rationale for qualifying as KBA: This site qualifies as a Key Biodiversity Area of international significance because it meets one or more previously established criteria and thresholds for identifying sites of biodiversity importance (including Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas, Alliance for Zero Extinction sites, and Key Biodiversity Areas)
Additional biodiversity: The site is the only area on El Hierro that supports Columba bollii. It is also important for endemic subspecies of several forest passerines.
Habitats
Land use: agriculture (26%) | forestry | tourism/recreation
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Rocky Areas(e.g., inland cliffs, mountain peaks) | 24 | |
| Forest | 26 | |
| Shrubland | 26 | |
| Artificial - Terrestrial | 24 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: The main threats are posed by the cutting of branches for use in cultivation and illegal hunting. The local government has run conservation campaigns for Calonectris diomedea (1993-1996) and Columba bollii.