Biodiversity and Ecosystems

Vallehermoso is one of the municipalities with the greatest ecological diversity in La Gomera. Its territory spans from the north coast, battered by the Atlantic, to the highlands where humidity creates evergreen landscapes. This gradient allows very different ecosystems to coexist: sea cliffs, coastal scrublands, palm groves in ravine bottoms, monteverde forest in the mid-altitudes, and pine and heather formations at higher elevations. Each of these environments contributes a different piece to the natural mosaic that defines the municipalitys identity.

Unique Flora

The richness of the flora is one of the territorys strengths. In the highlands appear species linked to the monteverde and laurel forest, such as faya, heather, laurels, and an extensive community of ferns. On drier slopes, Canarian palms, cardones, and tabaibas stand out, along with plants adapted to water scarcity. This contrast is accentuated in the ravines, where small agricultural oases survive and corners where water retains the necessary moisture for sensitive species to thrive.

Canarian Endemisms

The municipality also preserves a notable number of Canarian and Gomeran endemisms, present in both flora and fauna. Among plants, species unique to La Gomera stand out, taking refuge on roques and steep slopes, while in fauna, birds such as the Bolle pigeon and the laurel pigeon excel, two symbols of ecological connectivity between the northern humid forests. On coasts and cliffs appears a community of seabirds adapted to a rugged coastline, completing the biological profile of the territory.

Biodiversity Refuges

The protected geological elements of the municipality—such as Roque Cano, Roque Blanco, Lomo del Carretón, and Los Órganos—also act as biodiversity refuges. Their walls, crevices, and rugged reliefs generate microclimates that allow the presence of exclusive species, difficult to find elsewhere in the Canaries. This combination of landscapes, unique plants, and specialized fauna makes Vallehermoso a privileged space for those seeking to understand the islands nature through its most representative ecosystems.

The municipalitys integration into the European Charter for Sustainable Tourism reinforces the protection of these ecosystems and ensures that their tourist use is managed responsibly.