Paisaje Protegido Barranco de Erques

The area is dominated by vegetation that is typical in low- and mid-altitude areas on this side of the island. 

• There is a shrubland of balsam spurge (Euphorbia balsamifera), along with cardoncillo (Ceropegia), esparraguera (Asparagus umbellatus), balo (Plocamapendula) and leñabuena (Neochamaeleapulverulenta), among other species; and in other areas you can find romeromarino (Campylanthussalsoloides). 
• The cardón (Euphorbia canariensis) appears from 200m altitude, together with tasaigo (Rubiafruticosa) and cornical (Periplocalaevigata).
• A little higher, in the thermophile zone, the three dominant species are wild olive trees (Oleaoleaster), Atlas pistachio (Pistaciaatlantica) and Phoenician juniper (Juniperusphoenicea). 
• In more degraded parts there are large areas of vinagrera (Rumexlunaria), incienso (Artemisia canariensis) and magarza (Argyranthemumfrutescens). 
• In the upper watercourse of the ravine, existing alongside the balo (Plocamapendula), there are some high mountain bush species, the seeds of which are transported via torrential rains, such as the yerba cumbre (Cedronella canariensis), rosalilo de cumbre (Pterocephaluslasiospermus), alhelídel Teide (Erysimumscoparium) and even some retama del Teide (Spartocytisussupranubius). 
• In the lowest part, dominated by vast banana plantations, you can find the greatest concentration of viborinatriste (Echiumtriste).

Because of the variety in altitudes and the existence of different water points, there is a wide variety of environments for invertebrate fauna. The list is long, and includes a number of endemic species to the island and the archipelago, including the canarielapilosa snail and the longicorniodelcardón beetle.

The most commonly found reptile is Gallot’s lizard. Birds that nest in the area include the Scopoli's shearwater, and birds of prey such as the buzzard, long-eared owl and even passerine birds, like the crow, plain swift, Berthelot's pipit, grey wagtail, Canary Islands chiffchaff and the European goldfinch. 

Bats are the only native mammals to inhabit the protected landscape, with confirmed sightings of the European free-tailed bat and the Madeira pipistrelle.

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