Red List habitat classification > RLF - Heathland and scrub > RLF8.1 Canarian xerophytic scrub

Canarian xerophytic scrub

Quick facts

Red List habitat type	code RLF8.1
Threat status
Europe	Vulnerable
EU	Vulnerable
Relation to	Resolution 4 habitat type (Bern Convention)
Source	European Red List habitat factsheet
	European Red List of habitats reports
	European Red List of habitats (Excel table)

Summary

Open scrub formed by stem and leaf succulents, often belonging to the Euphorbia genus (tabaibales and cardonales), and woody sclerophyllous shrubs. It develops in the xerophytic to desertic lowland areas of the Canary Islands, covering practically the whole of the area in the eastern islands (Lanzarote and Fuerteventura) and the lower belts in the rest of the archipelago, particularly in the south facing slopes. The substrata are rocky, often with very poorly developed soils (lithosols).

The succulent scrub has elements of arid tropical origin, related to habitats existing in arid territories of tropical Africa. As in the other Canarian habitats, many geovicariant endemics for each of the islands or islands groups enrich the characteristic species list. This habitat type is divided into two main subtypes, one in the lower altitude on rocky soils and dryiest areas, in which the succulent scrub is dominant, and the second, in somewhat higher elevations, moister conditions and more structured soils, dominated by a xerophytic scrub of Rhamnus and Olea, much more related to Mediterranean ecosystems and containing more Mediterranean flora elements.

This habitat has been historically used by man and altered due to goat grazing, housing, and building of urban areas. As a result, it is easily invaded by nitrophilic species of the Forsskaoleo-Rumicetalia lunariae.

Indicators of good quality:

Absence of nitrophilous and non-native species
Presence and abundance of endemic succulent shrubs

Characteristic species

Characteristic species:

Flora

Vascular plants: Allagopappus dichotomus, Anagyris latifolia, Androcymbium hierrense, Argyranthemum callichryson, Argyranthemum coronopifolium, Argyranthemum escarrei, Argyranthemum gracile Argyranthemum sundingii, Asparagus arborescens, Asparagus nesiotes, Asparagus pastorianus, Asparagus ploclamoides, Asparagus scoparius, Asparagus umbellatus, Brachypodium arbuscula, Bupleurum handiense, Bupleurum salicifolium subsp. acidyphyllum, Bystropogon plumosus, Bystropogon odoratissimus, Campylanthus salsoloides, Caralluma burchardii, Ceropegia dichotoma, Ceropegia fusca, Cistus monspeliensis subsp. canariensis, Convolvulus floridus, Convolvulus lopezsocasi, Convolvulus scoparius, Dorycnium eriophtalmum, Dracaena draco, Echium aculeatum, Echium brevirame, Echium decaisnei, subsp. purpuriense, Echium giganteum, Echium strictum, Erysimum bicolor, Euphorbia aphylla, Euphorbia atropurpurea, Euphorbia balsamifera, Euphorbia berthelotii, Euphorbia canariensis, Euphorbia handiensis, Euphorbia lamarckii, Euphorbia regis-jubae, Globularia salicina, Helianthemum canarinse, Herniaria canariensis, Hypericum canariense, Jasminum odoratissimum, Juniperus turbinata subsp. canariensis, Justicia hyssopifolia, Kickxia sagittata, Kickxia scoparia, Kleinia neriifolia, Marcetella mocquiniana, Maytenus canariensis, Micromeria hyssopifolia var. hyssopifolia, Micromeria hyssopifolia var. kueglerii, Micromeria varia, Micromeria teneriffae var. cordifolia, Neochamaela pulverulenta, Olea europaea subsp. canariensis, Olea europaea subsp. cerasiformis, Pancratium canariense, Parolinia intermedia, Parolinia ornata, Paronychia canariensis, Periploca laevigata, Ploclama pendula, Reichardia famarae, Reseda scoparia, Retama raetam, Rhamnus crenulata, Rubia fruticosa subsp. melanocarpa, Rubia fruticosa subsp. fruticosa, Ruta pinnata, Rutheopsis herbanica, Scilla haemorrhiodalis, Seseli webbii, Sideritis brevicaulis, Sideritis dendrochahorra, Sideritis pumila, Spartocytisus filipes, Taeckholmia capillaries, Taeckholmia microcarpa, Taeckholmia pinnata, Tamus edulis, Teline osyrioides subsp. osyrioides, Teline osyrioides subsp. sericea, Teucrium heterophyllum, Vicia cirrhosa.

For full habitat description, please download the habitat factsheet.

Threat status

Synthesis of Red List assessment

The overall analysis of territorial data leads to the category Vulnerable (VU) for trends in quantity over the past 50 years and long-term trends over the past 500 years. The distribution of the habitat is very limited, resulting in Near Threatened assessments for criterion B1 (restricted range extent). For trends in quality a decrease of 10% over the past 50 years has been calculated, leading to the category Near Threatened. There are indications that species of the habitat have become extinct in historical/pre-historical times.

EU
Red List Category	Red List Criteria
Vulnerable	A1, A3

Europe
Red List Category	Red List Criteria
Vulnerable	A1, A3

Confidence in the assessment

medium

Red List of habitat categories and criteria descriptions

European Red List of Habitats categories

Based on Scientific Foundations for an IUCN Red List of Ecosystems

European Red List of Habitats criteria

Reduction in quantity (area of distribution)	A	A1 Present decline (over last 50 years) A2a Future decline (over the next 50 years) A2b Future/present decline (over a 50-year period inclunding present and future) A3 Historic decline
Restricted geographic distribution	B	B1 Restricted Extent of Occurrence (EOO) B2 Restricted Area of Occupancy (AOO) B3 Present at few locations
Reduction in abiotic quality	C	C/D1 Reduction in quality over the last 50 years C/D2 Reduction in quality in the future or in a period including present and future C/D3 Historic reduction in quality
Reduction in biotic quality	D
Quantitative analysis of probability of collapse	E

From Scientific Foundations for an IUCN Red List of Ecosystems

Pressures and threats

Agriculture

Cultivation
Intensive mixed animal grazing
Non intensive mixed animal grazing
Annual and perennial non-timber crops

Urbanisation, residential and commercial development

Urbanised areas, human habitation

Natural biotic and abiotic processes (without catastrophes)

Accumulation of organic material

Habitat restoration potential

Unknown, but in general the dominant scrubs grow relatively slow, and restoration of complete habitats is expected to last relatively long.

Trends in extent
Average current trend in quantity
Decreasing	Decreasing
EU28	EU28+

Trends in quality
Average current trend in quality
Decreasing	Decreasing
EU28	EU28+

Conservation and management needs

The Natura 2000 network and the Canary Network of Natural Reserves cover large parts of the highest parts of the Canary Islands. A relatively low amount of the habitat F8.1 is within the boundaries of these protected areas. As regards thermo-sclerophyllous woodland, the possibilities of recovery are scarce, because of the high degree of disturbance and current use of its potential territory. Designation of protected areas should focus more on the lower areas where habitat F8.1 occurs.

List of conservation and management needs

Measures related to spatial planning

Establish protected areas/sites

Measures related to urban areas, industry, energy and transport

Other measures

Distribution

For each habitat a distribution map was produced from a wide variety of sources indicating known and potential occurrences of the habitat in 10x10 km grids within Europe. Occurrences in grid cells were given in two classes: actual distribution from relatively reliable sources (surveys, expert knowledge), and potential distribution based on models or less reliable indicators. Please download the fact sheet to see the map.

Geographic occurrence and trends

EU28	Present or presence uncertain	Current area of habitat (Km²)	Recent trend in quantity (last 50 years)	Recent trend in quality (last 50 years)
Canary Islands	Present	275	Decreasing	Unknown

EU28 +	Present or presence uncertain	Current area of habitat (Km²)	Recent trend in quantity (last 50 years)	Recent trend in quality (last 50 years)

Extent of Occurrence, Area of Occupancy and habitat area

	Extent of Occurrence (EOO) (Km²)	Area of Occupancy (AOO)	Current estimated Total Area	Comment
EU28	71600	121	275	Habitat only occurs in Canary Islands.
EU28+	121		275	Habitat only occurs in Canary Islands.

AOO = the area occupied by a habitat measured in number of 10x10 km grid cells.
EOO = the area (km2) of the envelope around all occurrences of a habitat (calculated by a minimum convex polygon).

Characteristic species

Not available

Legal status

Relation to other habitat types mentioned in legal instruments

Legal text	Annex	Name in legal text	Code in legal text	Habitat type relationship	More information
Convention on the conservation of European wildlife and natural habitats	Revised Annex I of Resolution 4 (1996) of the Bern Convention on endangered natural habitats types using the EUNIS habitat classification (year of revision 2010)	Canary Island xerophytic scrub	F8.1	Same	https://wcd.coe.int/ViewDoc....ckColorLogged=FDC864 Resolution No. 4 (1996) of the Bern Convention lists endangered natural habitats requiring specific conservation measures [and the designation of Areas of Special Conservation Interest (ASCIs) forming the Emerald network]

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