Current view: Text account
Site description (2000 baseline):
Site location and context
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.
One of the most important areas in the Canary Islands for
Columba junoniae. The site is also important for other endemic birds.
Pressure/threats to key biodiversity
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.
National Partial
International Partial75 ha of IBA covered by Site of Scientific Interest (Barranco del Agua, 75 ha). 600 ha of IBA covered by Natural Park (Cumbre Vieja, 7,499 ha). 222 ha of IBA covered by Protected Landscape (El Tablao, 222 ha). 450 ha of IBA covered by Special Natural Reserve (Guelguén, 1,074 ha). 5,094 ha of IBA covered by Natural Park (Las Nieves, 5,094 ha). 984 ha of IBA covered by Integral Nature Reserve (Pinar de Garafía, 984 ha). 4,067 ha of IBA covered by Special Protection Area (Monte de los Sauces, Punta Llana y Pinar de Garafía, 4,067 ha).
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: La Palma laurel forest (Spain). Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/la-palma-laurel-forest-iba-spain on 23/12/2024.
