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Protected Landscape
Paisaje Protegido Acantilados de La Culata
Description
This set of cliffs sits 20m high at Garachico and 600m in the area around Tierra del Trigo in Los Silos.
Recommended time to visit: All year-round.
Geology
These ancient coastal cliffs ended up inland after the formation of the Isla Baja, which it now sits atop.
It was created by the accumulation of successive volcanic emissions, from the very beginnings of the island until the historic eruption of the Garachico Volcano in 1706. This is also a place of outstanding natural beauty, as the backdrop for the towns of the Isla Baja and a symbol of the area.
Add to this the significant natural assets and rich archeological heritage that can be found inside this protected landscape.
Flora and fauna
The La Culata cliffs are home to 51 endemic Canarian species, 9 that are endemic to Tenerife, and 18 plant species endemic to Macaronesia.
In the areaplants vary according to their location, orientation, altitude and soil type:
- In forests of Phoenician juniper (Juniperus phoenicea) there can also be found wild olive trees (Olea oleaster) and Atlas pistachio (Pistacia atlantica) along with species such as Canary Islands St. John’s Wort (Hypericum canariense), jasmine and espinero (Rhamnus crenulata).
- Dry monteverde is comprised of acebiño (Ilex Canariensis), mocán (Visnea mocanera) and faya (Morella faya).
- Humid monteverde holds the most biodiversity and a great number of endemic species, the most common of which are the laurel (Laurus novocanariensis), viñatigo (Persea indica), barbusano (Apollonias barbujana) and tree heath (Erica arborea), as well as the Canary Island bellflower (Canarina canariensis), capitana (Phyllis nobla) and flor de mayo (Pericallis cruenta).
- Clusters of cardón (Euphorbia canariensis) can only be found along the escarpments close to Tierra de Trigo.
- Palm groves are situated in relatively deep soil in the Las Calvas and Tierra del Trigo ravines, and on the slopes of Icod.
- Canary willow groves (Salix canariensis) grow in the most humid ravines.
The morphology of the cliffs also means that there exist some hard-to-access spots which are a haven for fauna.
Reptiles that can be found here include Gallot’s lizard (Gallotia galloti), geckos and skinks. Birds that reproduce here include the Barbary falcon, buzzard, Eurasian sparrowhawk, Scopoli's shearwater, plain swift, laurel pigeon, and many singing birds such as Eurasian blackcaps, Canaries, chiffchaffs, robins, etc.
The only native mammals to inhabit the protected landscape are the three bat species that have so far been identified: the lesser noctule, Madeira pipistrelle and European free-tailed bat.
Unfortunately, this animal biodiversity is threatened by the presence of wild cats and rats, which alongside invasive plant species such as purple fountain grass (Pennisetum setaceum), are the main obstacles to conservation of fragile island ecosystems
Technical information sheet
Surface area
552.1 hectares (0.3% of the island)
Species of interest
Phoenicianjuniper (Juniperus phoenicea), wild olive tree (Olea oleaster), Atlas pistachio (Pistacia atlantica), Canary Islands St. John’s Wort (Hypericum canariense), jasmine, espinero (Rhamnus crenulata), acebiño (Ilex Canariensis), mocán (Visnea mocanera), faya (Myrica faya), laurel (Laurus novocanariensis), viñatigo (Persea indica), barbusano (Apollonias barbujana), tree heath (Erica arborea), Canary Island bellflower (Canarina canariensis), capitana (Phyllis nobla), flor de mayo (Pericallis cruenta), cardón (Euphorbia canariensis), Canary Island date palm (Phoenix canariensis), Canary willow (Salix canariensis), Gallot’s lizard (Gallotia galloti), gecko, skink, Barbary falcon, buzzard, Eurasian sparrowhawk, Scopoli's shearwater, plain swift, laurel pigeon, canary, chiffchaff, robins, lesser noctule, Madeira pipistrelle, European free-tailed bat.
Ecosystems
Cliffs, ravines, monteverde, thermophilic.
Places of interest
Las Calvas, Tierra del Trigo, El Guincho, la fuga de Interián.
Regulations
To consult permits for use and updated regulations for this Protected Natural Area, visit the official website of the Government of the Canary Islands.
Municipalities
- El Tanque
- Garachico
- Icod de los Vinos
- Los Silos
Links