Ignacio Alonso

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

The aim of this work is to identify habitats of European interest for the existing dunes in the Canaries, in order to provide data for their proper management. Dune systems considered were the following: aeolian sedimentary systems that cover both most of the island of La Graciosa and also the dune fields of Maspalomas (Gran Canaria) and Corralejo (Fuerteventura). The methodology consisted of overlapping layers of habitats and vegetation by using geographic information systems, so the correspondence between habitat and plant community are analyzed. The results indicate that dune habitats in the Canary Islands have not been well defined. The habitat “2110 embryonic shifting dunes” is associated with several situations incompatible with their biotic and abiotic characteristics. Meanwhile, habitat “2130 fixed dunes with herbaceous vegetation (grey dunes)” is linked, among others, to the phytosociological association Traganetum moquinii. However, embryonic dune formation in the Canaries is mainly done by this community, which is inconsistent with its inclusion in the grey dunes habitat. The proposed habitats of European interest associated with dunes in the Canaries are the following: Coastal shifting dunes with Traganum moquinii, dunes with Tamarix canariensis, Macaronesian aeolian sand sheets and humid dune slacks. It is also suggested the need for a comprehensive study of dune habitats existing in the Canaries and Macaronesia, covering the whole of aeolian sedimentary systems, performing a proper identification, characterization and detailed mapping of these habitats, based on both the existing vegetation and also on the associated landforms and geomorphic processes.

Coastal Dunes in the Ebro Delta

The Ebro Delta is one of the most significant coastal sedimentary formations in Spain, not only for being the largest and most important delta in the country, but also for presenting several active dune fields on it. In addition, other ecosystems such as salt marshes and lagoons contribute to conform a characteristic and unique habitat.

Rocky Coast in Catalonia

Rocky coasts, widely present along the world shorelines, have been studied from different points of view. Some sectors of rocky coast at Catalonia has been mapped and described by several authors along time. This paper includes a revision of those studies and analyzes some topographical data in order to obtain a global geomorphological characterization of rocky coast including also its relation with other environmental factors such as waves, precipitations and lithology. Remarkable differences between North and South regions have been reported. Moreover, because of the importance of rock fall events as a process affecting this areas, one example of susceptibility analysis to rock fall at Tarragona coast has been presented.

Classification and Characteristics of Beaches at Tenerife and Gran Canaria Islands

Canary archipelago is formed by seven main islands and several islets that extends for nearly 500 km across the eastern Atlantic, between latitudes 27°N and 30°N, lying its eastern edge only 100 km from the NW African coast.