Canary Islands Implements Recovery Plan for Endangered Endemic Plants

Overview

The Canary Islands have taken a significant step to protect two critically endangered endemic plants, Piñamar (Atractylis preauxiana) and Piñamar Mayor (Atractylis arbuscula). Both species are listed as 'in danger of extinction' in regional and national conservation catalogs, with their populations confined to limited coastal areas on Tenerife, Gran Canaria, and Lanzarote.

Conservation Measures

• To ensure their survival, the government has approved a comprehensive Recovery Plan focused on:
  • boosting population numbers,
  • controlling threats,
  • raising awareness about their ecological value.
• This plan aims to:
  • reduce risks posed by environmental fluctuations, genetic challenges, demographic issues, and urban pressures.
  • regulate land use in critical habitats.
  • promote ex situ conservation efforts.

Process and Approvals

The plan’s approval follows extensive consultations, impact assessments (including gender and business impacts), and inputs from local authorities and conservation groups.

• Notably, the plan does not require an environmental impact assessment under current laws, as the species are protected indicators of biodiversity.

Significance

This initiative marks an essential move to preserve these unique species, which are vital parts of the islands’ natural heritage. The plan’s successful execution could:

• bolster their chances of long-term survival,
• safeguard vital biodiversity for future generations.