Considered one of the most valuable ecosystems in the world, 43.7% of Fuerteventura is protected due to its extremely high natural value and biodiversity. In 2009 it was declared a Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO and in 2015 a Starlight Reserve due to the excellent quality of its skies. The island also has the privilege of being considered one of 150 sites of global geological interest.
On the one hand, Fuerteventura has 11 terrestrial Special Areas of Conservation (SAC), 9 Special Protection Areas for Birds (SPA), it also has 2 SACs and 1 SPA in the marine environment within the Natura 2000 Network and has 13 areas of the Canarian Network of Protected Natural Spaces.
It is the oldest island in the Canary Islands archipelago, around 23 million years old, and thanks to its privileged geographical position, its volcanic origin and its climatic conditions (trade winds, mild temperatures, a relative humidity of 70% and more than 300 days of sunshine a year), the island has a high rate of island endemism that is unique in the world, with more than 130 recorded endemic species: 103 arthropods, 12 molluscs, 15 plants, one bryophyte and one bird, Saxicola dacotiae (known as the Canarian stonechat). In fact, Fuerteventura is home to the largest number of bird species in the Canary Islands, making it a place of great scientific and conservation interest, with nearly 300 species recorded so far.
In terms of marine fauna, it has important bird colonies and the fact that 22 species of cetaceans and 4 species of sea turtles are frequently found in its waters, as well as an important variety of fish and marine organisms. It also has native breeds such as the Majorero goat, donkey and camel (dromedary), as well as the Bardino dog.
On the other hand, Fuerteventura has a unique cultural and ethnographic heritage, mostly associated with the expressions of a rural world, traditional ways of life and their tangible and intangible manifestations. The arid landscape of the island has been shaped, to a large extent, by the hand of farmers and ranchers over the centuries, adapting to a harsh environment characterised by low soil fertility and scarce rainfall. Many of the agricultural landscapes bear witness to water and land use systems such as the gavias, nateros and cadenas, ideal for practising sustainable agriculture. Alongside these manifestations, there is a rich archaeological heritage, with numerous sites of the aboriginal or pre-Hispanic indigenous populations known as mahos. Also noteworthy are the mills and grinding stones, the livestock farms (gambuesas or resguardos), the lime kilns and the coastal salt flats.
In total, we can visit 80 Assets of Cultural Interest (churches, lighthouses, viewpoints) and more than fifteen museums and interpretation centres dedicated to a variety of topics (salt, volcanology, agriculture, fishing, archaeology and ethnography).
However, Fuerteventura faces serious problems caused by the high aridity, whose soils have a low water retention capacity, the continuous processes of erosion, the scarce vegetation, added to the global emergency of climate that we are experiencing, the loss of biological diversity as a consequence of the destruction of natural habitats and the pollution caused by the human species.
Therefore, it is the responsibility of everyone (local people and tourists) to care for and protect the natural and cultural heritage of our wonderful island of Fuerteventura.
