The flora and fauna of the island of Gran Canaria

Reserve Gran Canaria Biosphere covers some 40% of the island and contains all of the water catchment areas of the top of the mountains to the beaches and marine areas, through valleys used for agriculture. The reserve includes several protected natural areas, natural monuments such as the Parque Rural de El Nublo and a marine area. The Biosphere Reserve is established around the Natural Reserve of Inagua, which is designated as a central area with the Reserva Natural Especial de Guigui. The main areas are surrounded by a buffer zone (El Parque Rural de Nublo) and transition zones.

Natural Parks Tamadaba and Pilancones, and other natural monuments and landscapes, are included in the transition zones and provide geographical continuity.

The whole area located above an altitude of 300 meters is classified in the municipalities of San Bartolomé de Tirajana, Agaete and Mogán, and a small part of the area of Vega de San Mateo.

Three zones with different vegetation types can be distinguished: arid and semi-arid areas in the south and west of the island, sub-humid, humid environments, with peaks in the west, and the transition environments wetlands that extend to the north.

The ridges and the southern slopes are covered by pine Canarian endemic of the Canaries, while the north side comprises laurel forest and vegetation remnants of type “fayal-brezal” characterized bayberry beech leaves (Myrica faya) and tree heath (Erica arborea), brezo Spanish.