Paisaje Protegido de Ifonche

At an altitude of between 900 and 1500m, the most prominent vegetation is pine forest.  Nevertheless, due to agricultural activity throughout history, the pine forest only covers just over half of the surface area.

The Canary pine forest sits above an undergrowth of jaras (Cistus symphytifolius), escobones (Chamaecytisus proliferus) and codesos de cumbre (Adenocarpus viscosus).  In the most humid zones you can also find retamón del sur (Teline osyrioides subsp. sericea) and the blue Tajinaste (Echium callithyrsum). 

Along the watercourse in the Barranco de las Goteras ravine, there are quite a few Canary willows (Salix canariensis).  Also, on the walls of the ravines that cross Ifonche we can find species that grow inside the cracks and crevices in the rocks, with just a little substrate.  Examples include the palomera (Pericallis appendiculata), bejeque (Aeonium canariense), colderrisco escabrosa (Crambe scaberrima), pajonera canaria (Descurainia millefolia), oreja de ratón (Andryala pinnatifida) and pelotilla pálida (Monanthes pallens).

The gradual abandonment of agricultural land has made way for other vegetation, mainly jaguarzo (Cistus monspeliensis), jara (Cistus symphytifolius) and tomillo salvaje (Micromeria varia canariensis).  These days the most common crop is the vine, and to a lesser extent, potatoes and corn.

The greatest variety of invertebrate fauna in the area exists in humid zones, such as ravine waterways, and nearby reservoirs and water pipelines.  Specifically, at Ifonche you can find endemic species from the Canaries such as the Canarian spider beetle, marmalade hoverfly (Episyrphus balteatus), Teide ochre carabid (Dicrodontus brunneus exilis), Tenerife satyr butterfly (Hipparchia wyssii), and the Canarian manto butterfly (Cyclyrius webbianus).

Vertebrates are comprised of mostly forest birds, such as the canary, chiffchaff, Eurasian blue tit, goldcrest, blue chaffinch and great spotted woodpecker. 

In more open ares you can also find Eurasian hoopoes, shrikes, spectacled warblers and Berthelot's pipits; while flying over agricultural areas are flocks of common linnets. 

Birds of prey in the area include the long-eared owl, kestrel, buzzard, Eurasian sparrowhawk and the Barbary falcon.  In the flat parts of Ifonche during spring and summer nights, you can even hear the song of the Eurasian stone-curlew, one of the most mysterious and endangered birds in Tenerife, present here at one of the highest altitudes in the archipelago.

Only two species of reptile have been found; geckos and Gallot’s lizard (Gallotia galloti).  In terms of mammals the only autoctonous species are the Canary long-eared bat, Madeira pipistrelle and European free-tailed bat.

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