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Site of Scientific Interest
Sitio de Interés Científico de Barranco de Ruiz
Description
The Barranco de Ruiz Site of Specific Scientific Interest is set within an impressive, rugged landscape.
Recommended time to visit: All year-round.
Geology
This site is dominated by a stretch of ravine just over 2 km in length, 1/2 km wide at its most open parts, and a narrow watercourse embedded into the terrain.
Its significance lies in the well-preserved remaining laurel forest, thermophile forests and rock-dwelling plant communities.
However, the ravine is situated very close to the built-up areas of El Rosario, La Vera in San Juan de la Rambla and Icod el Alto in Los Realejos. This proximity has played a key role in the current state of the landscape, as human intervention over centuries has adapted some parts of the ravine, converting the land into agricultural plots.
Flora and fauna
The flora in the Barranco de Ruiz is very diverse and changes at different altitudes:
- In its interior there is a cluster of cardón plants (Euphorbia canariensis), also containing tabaiba amarga (Euphorbia lamarckii).
- Inciensos (Artemisia canariensis) and vinagreras (Rumex lunaria) grow across many parts of the area.
- Rock-dwelling plants can be found in the steepest and most rocky areas, including many examples of pastel de risco or góngano (Aeonium tabuliforme) as well as the less common siempreviva arborescente (Aeonium arboreum).
- In slightly higher areas there are zones dominated by Canary Islands St. John’s Wort (Hypericum canariense) and jasmine, along with lengua de pájaro (Globularia salicina), espino (Lycium intricatum) and torvisca (Daphne gnidium).
- Along the most rugged ridges there are some lone Phoenician juniper trees (Juniperus phoenicea).
- The upper section of the watercourse is where Canary willows (Salix canariensis) grow, which is a species linked to very humid areas with water all year round.
- And high up in the ravine is where the laurel forest and Morella-Erica heath begin to appear, where tree heath (Erica arborea), acebiño (Ilex Canariensis) and faya (Morella faya) are the dominant species.
- Immediately afterwards, the vegetation changes once again and laurel forest dominates. Here you can find species such as the laurel (Laurus novocanariensis), palo blanco (Picconia excelsa), madroño (Arbutus canariensis) and barbusano (Apollonias barbujana), alongside others such as alhelí (Erysimum scoparium) and cresta de gallo (Isoplexis canariensis).
The most important vertebrate species, which in part justify the creation of this protected area, are Bolle’s pigeon and the laurel pigeon.
This is also one of the very few places in Tenerife where the Manx shearwater nests. It should be no surprise therefore that this is a Special Protection Area for Birds (SPA), governed by European regulations.
Other species that inhabit this area include small birds such as the canary, Eurasian blue tit, Eurasian blackcap, grey wagtail, common chaffinch, and robin, as well as kestrels and buzzards that build their nests in the ravine walls.
Technical information sheet
Surface area
95.6 hectares (0.5% of the island)
Species of interest
Canary Islands St. John’s Wort (Hypericum canariense), lengua de pájaro (Globularia salicina), espino (Lycium intricatum), torvisca (Daphne gnidium), Phoenician juniper (Juniperus phoenicea), Canary willows (Salix canariensis), tree heath (Erica arborea), acebiño (Ilex Canariensis), laurel (Laurus novocanariensis), palo blanco (Picconia excelsa), madroño (Arbutus canariensis), barbusano (Apollonias barbujana), alhelí (Erysimum scoparium), cresta de gallo (Isoplexis canariensis), Bolle’s pigeon, laurel pigeon, Manx shearwater, kestrels, buzzard.
Ecosystems
Monteverde, thermophile, ravine.
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
- Los Realejos
- San Juan de la Rambla