The Tenerife Council, under the Natural Environment, Sustainability and Security and Emergencies division, is rolling out a plan to reintroduce endemic and native species to the areas of the Teide National Park that were impacted by last year’s wildfire.
In a statement, Minister of Natural Environment, Sustainability, and Security and Emergencies, Blanca Pérez, explained that while the nursery currently serves reforestation efforts in Teide National Park, plant production has been expedited to address the fire-damaged areas.
“Key flora species include the labyrinth, Canarian cedar, summit jarilla, Teide violet, and broom, all of significant environmental importance,” she noted.
Pérez revealed that the Botanical Garden’s nursery area is undergoing expansion, in collaboration with the Cepsa Foundation.
“Through this partnership, our work area will increase by approximately 200 square meters, doubling plant production to meet our targets by 2026,” she stated, aiming for a total of 138,000 native plants.
Enhancing Teide’s Environment
The El Portillo Botanical Garden nursery spans over 40,000 square meters, facilitating the entire plant lifecycle from seed selection, greenhouse growth, controlled planting, to the final planting stage when plants are ready for survival.
Endemic plant nurseries play a crucial role in repopulating areas by conserving local biodiversity and restoring specific ecosystems.
By cultivating and planting endemic species, these nurseries boost natural populations, safeguard endangered species, and support the restoration of degraded habitats like those affected by wildfires.
These efforts significantly contribute to preserving Teide’s environment and ecological balance, as highlighted by the Cabildo.
To ensure rapid flora recovery and prevent herbivores such as rabbits and mouflons in Teide National Park, fences have been erected in certain areas; these will be removed once the plants mature enough to withstand herbivore activity.
