2.1.1 By its Decision of 28 December 2001, the
European Commission adopted a list of sites of Community importance
with respect to the Macaronesian biogeographical region, in implementing
Directive 92/43/CEE on the conservation of natural habitats and of
wild fauna and flora.
2.1.2 The Canary Isles have unique volcanic tubes
and lava bubbles, and unique and representative geomorphological formations
with a high level of endemisms. Another unique ecosystem is formed
by the 'sebadales', biologically rich meadows of spermatophytes that
play an important role in the breeding and nutrition of bentonic organisms.
2.1.3 In 1983, UNESCO declared part of the island
of La Palma a biosphere reserve. Called El Canal e Los Tiles, the
area's 500 hectares made it the smallest of its kind in Spain.
2.1.4 The islands geographical position and morphological
characteristics, including cliffs, rocks and tunnels of volcanic origin,
determine the kind of organisms that occupy each habitat, and together
give rise to a unique, highly diverse and species-rich biocoenosis.
2.1.5 Out of 168 habitats listed in the European
Habitats Directive, 24 are in the Canary Isles. The Spanish waters
around the islands contain 20 cetaceous species, from dolphins to
large whales, over 500 species of fish and thousands of invertebrates.
Extending over a surface area of 7,554 km2 and a coastline
of 1,540 km, the islands contain more than 300 protected spaces, including
four national parks, 7 rural parks, 11 integrated marine reserves,
15 special natural reserves, 2 marine reserves, 27 special bird protection
areas, 3 islands declared biosphere reserves, 174 sites of Community
interest, 11 natural parks, 19 sites of scientific interest, 51 natural
monuments and 27 protected landscapes.
2.1.6 The islets to the north of Lanzarote offer
a highly important nesting area and refuge for birds, recognized as
such by the European Union. They contain a high concentration of marine
and terrestrial species, both indigenous and migratory. Birds constitute
one of the main biological resources of these islets, which are home
to a broad sample of threatened species, some having found their last
refuge in the Canaries. Particularly important in this context are
Bulwer's petrel (Bulweria bulwerii), the little shearwater
(Puffinus assimilis), the common petrel (Hydrobates
pelagicus), the white-faced storm petrel (Pelagodroma
marina) and the Madeira petrel (Oceanodroma castro),
the osprey (Pandion haliaetus), the Egyptian vulture
(Neophron percnopterus) the peregrine falcon (Falco
peregrinoides) and Eleonora's falcon (Falco eleonorae).
Only very few pairs remain of most of these species, and their conservational
importance is thus extremely high. This area was also the site of
extinction of one of the most important birds to have lived only in
the archipelago: the black oystercatcher (Haematopus meadewaldii).
2.1.7 On the leeward side of Jandía, in
the south of Fuerteventura, lies an extensive area of sand containing
large lakes formed by the sea, with halophyte vegetation at its margin.
This has become a breeding site for lute turtles, and is the only
place in the European Union where they lay their eggs.
2.1.8 In the seas off Teno-Rasca, in the south
of Tenerife, Mogán, in the south of Gran Canaria, and Santiago
Valle Gran Rey (Gomera), the existence of warm and calm waters for
most of the year and the presence of deep water near the coast have
created unrivalled living conditions for a number of cetaceous species.
This is the distribution area of the bottleneck dolphin, while of
the other cetaceous species present (Globycephala macrorrinchus,
Steno brebanensis, Stenella frontales, Delphinus delphis, Stenella
coerulgoalba, Grampus griseus, physeter macrocephalus and Balagnoetera
edemi), some maintain resident populations and others visit
for feeding or reproductive purposes. This is also an area vitally
important to the Atlantic loggerhead sea turtle, which comes to the
Canaries to rest and adjust its body temperature. Its population is
estimated to be several hundred, and large numbers can be seen on
their migratory journey through the area.
2.1.9 The 'sebadales', or marine spermatophytes,
found at Guasimeta, off Lanzarote, or at Corralero, off Fuerteventura,
are important breeding areas for species of fishing and/or ecological
importance, and play an important part in ensuring the presence of
long-range pelagic fish.
2.1.10 The intensive use made of the inshore waters,
the frequent shipping movements, water pollution, illegal fishing
methods and floating refuse all combine to make the coastline of the
Canaries especially vulnerable.
2.1.11 The marine environment of the Canaries
has a limited biological production capacity in general terms, owing
to the restricted surface area of the coastal depths or coastal shelves
and the low nutrient concentration of its oligotrophic waters. This
is offset by the existing temperature range and the variety of biotopes
or sea-beds, which generate high biodiversity but low production or
biomass. In other words, these are fragile and delicate systems in
which the ecological balance can easily be altered.