Canarian Phoenix grove
Quick facts
Red List habitat type | code RLG2.5b |
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Threat status | |
Europe | Vulnerable |
EU | Vulnerable |
Relation to |
|
Source | European Red List habitat factsheet |
European Red List of habitats reports | |
European Red List of habitats (Excel table) |
Summary
The habitat includes sparse Phoenix canariensis groves (palmares) on colluvial deposits, mostly on flat mid-slope sites or at the base of irregular temporary streams. Endemic only to the Canary Islands, they are dependent on brief, temporary water-tables present in sporadic torrential flows during winter. Thus, they are azonal in the dry to arid bioclimatic belts of the infra-thermomediterranean where the zonal vegetation consists of xerophytic scrub (F8.1: Canary Island xerophytic scrub). As the Canarian palms were probably much exploited by humans in historic times (and still are found as semi-anthropogenic formations for the extraction of ‘palm honey’ or guarapo, a syrup made of the palm sap), the palm groves are considered to be impoverished versions of a former microphanerophytic dense community that was probably co-dominated also by dragon trees (Dracaena draco) and had some characteristics of a dry edapho-hygrophilous forest with climbers and tall-shrubs. Usually, the groves are in contact with the xerophytic sclerophyllous or scale-leaf communities (Mayteno-Juniperion canariensis) or canarian-spurge communities (the cardonales and tabaibales of Aeonio-Euphorbion canariensis) included in the G3.9c Macaronesian Juniperus woodland or F8.1 Canary Island xerophytic scrub.
Indicators of quality:
- No forest exploitations in the majority of the area covered by the habitat
- Intact natural hydrology
- Natural composition of canopy
- Structural diversity/ complexity with (semi)natural age structure or completeness of layers
- Typical flora and fauna composition of the region
- Presence of old trees and a variety of dead wood (lying or standing) and the associated flora, fauna and fungi
- Presence of natural disturbance such as treefall openings with natural regeneration
- Long historical continuity (ancient woodland) with high species diversity
- Absence of non-native species (such as Opuntia spp. and Agave sp.) in all layers (flora & fauna)
- Low cover of nitrophilous species of the Forskaleo-Rumicetalia lunariae
Threat status
Synthesis of Red List assessment
EU | |
Red List Category | Red List Criteria |
Vulnerable | B1, B2 |
Europe | |
Red List Category | Red List Criteria |
Vulnerable | B1, B2 |
Confidence in the assessment
Pressures and threats
- Urbanisation, residential and commercial development
- Urbanised areas, human habitation
- Invasive, other problematic species and genes
- Genetic pollution (plants)
- Natural System modifications
- Water abstractions from groundwater
Habitat restoration potential
Trends in extent |
|
Average current trend in quantity |
|
Increasing | Increasing |
EU28 | EU28+ |
Trends in quality |
|
Average current trend in quality |
|
Stable | Stable |
EU28 | EU28+ |
Conservation and management needs
List of conservation and management needs
- Measures related to forests and wooded habitats
- Restoring/Improving forest habitats
- Measures related to wetland, freshwater and coastal habitats
- Managing water abstraction
Distribution
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 | 66.5 | Increasing | Increasing |
EU28 + | Present or presence uncertain | Current area of habitat (Km2) | Recent trend in quantity (last 50 years) | Recent trend in quality (last 50 years) |
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Extent of Occurrence, Area of Occupancy and habitat area
Extent of Occurrence (EOO) (Km2) | Area of Occupancy (AOO) | Current estimated Total Area | Comment | |
---|---|---|---|---|
EU28 | 66.5 | |||
EU28+ | 66.5 |
EOO = the area (km2) of the envelope around all occurrences of a habitat (calculated by a minimum convex polygon).