Proposal for new EU habitats associated with coastal dune fields of the Macaronesian region. A case study in the Canary Islands (Spain)

Abstract

The aim of this work is to identify habitats of Eu-ropean interest for the existing dunes in the Canaries, in orderto provide data for their proper management. Dune systemsconsidered were the following: aeolian sedimentary systemsthat cover both most of the island of La Graciosa and also thedune fields of Maspalomas (Gran Canaria) and Corralejo(Fuerteventura). The methodology consisted of overlappinglayers of habitats and vegetation by using geographic infor-mation systems, so the correspondence between habitat andplant community are analyzed. The results indicate that dunehabitats in the Canary Islands have not been well defined. ThehabitatB2110 embryonic shifting dunes^is associated withseveral situations incompatible with their biotic and abioticcharacteristics. Meanwhile, habitatB2130 fixed dunes withherbaceous vegetation (grey dunes)^is linked, among others,to the phytosociological associationTraganetum moquinii.However, embryonic dune formation in the Canaries is mainlydone by this community, which is inconsistent with its inclu-sion in the grey dunes habitat. The proposed habitats of Euro-pean interest associated with dunes in the Canaries are thefollowing: Coastal shifting dunes withTraganum moquinii,dunes withTamarix canariensis, Macaronesian aeolian sandsheets and humid dune slacks. It is also suggested the need fora comprehensive study of dune habitats existing in the Canar-ies and Macaronesia, covering the whole of aeolian sedimen-tary systems, performing a proper identification, characteriza-tion and detailed mapping of these habitats, based on both theexisting vegetation and also on the associated landforms andgeomorphic processes.