Flora and Vegetation of The Teide National Park: Illustrated Guide to Species and Cartography

Abstract

This book presents a detailed map of the Vegetation Series and Bioclimatic Belts that shape the high volcanic landscape of Tenerife. El Teide, part of the National Park of the same name, was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site on June 28, 2007. It is also a protected natural monument, encompassing the Teide-Pico Viejo volcanic complex, a large Vesuvian-type stratovolcano that has remained dormant since the Narices del Teide eruption in 1798, although the fumaroles that regularly emit from its crater show that it remains active. Mount Teide is the third highest and most voluminous volcanic structure on Earth, following Mauna Loa and Mauna Kea in Hawaii. It is the highest elevation in both the Canary Islands and Spain. Its formation began approximately 170,000 years ago after the giant landslide destroyed a previous, even larger volcanic edifice.

This book serves as an illustrated guide to the flora of Teide National Park. It provides taxonomic details, chorological distribution, and comprehensive cartography of species within the protected area. Information on endemicity, flowering and fruiting phenology, biotype, pollination, and dispersal mechanisms is included. Each species entry features a description of its genus and species, habitat, phytosociology, conservation status, threat categories, available germplasm banks, uses, and references. High-quality photographs highlight key identification traits. Additionally, the book includes a study of the main vegetation units of Tenerife’s high-altitude landscape, mapping both Vegetation Series and Bioclimatic Belts.