Upper Rock Nature Reserve: A Management and Action Plan

Gibraltar Ornithological and Natural History Society - GONHS
European Wildlife Directives and the Convention on Biodiversity
The habitat types described next are taken from the document prepared by GONHS entitled
‘The Habitats Directive and Gibraltar’ (1994).
4.5.3 Natural Habitat Types of Community Interest whose Conservation
Requires the Designation of Special Areas of Conservation
Vegetated sea cliffs of the Mediterranean coasts
(with endemic Limonium spp)
Location:
Sea cliffs from Sandy Bay to Europa Point and Rosia Bay. This includes the sea cliffs,
which rise up to Martins Cave around Mediterranean Step’s where Limonium emarginatum,
Gibraltar sea lavender can also be found growing.
a) Degree of representativity of the natural habitat type on the site.
Representative of Mediterranean limestone sea cliff with perennial plant community
including Aeonium korneliuslemsii and Limonium emarginatum, endemic
to the Strait of Gibraltar.
b) Area of site covered by habitat in relation to the habitat in Gibraltar.
50%
c) Degree of conservation.
Poor to very good. Areas have accumulated rubbish and rubble, and others
have been polluted by effluent from the refuse incinerator. The area within the
Nature Reserve is unspoiled due to its inaccessibility and remoteness.
d) Global assessment.
The occurrence of an endemic makes this an area of global importance. It is
also unique in landscape value together with the rest of the Mediterranean Steps.
Mediterranean Arborescent Matorral
Matorral with Laurus nobilis
Location:
The western slopes of the Rock of Gibraltar, within the Upper Rock Nature Reserve,
especially the south-western and extreme north-eastern slopes.
a) Degree of representation of the natural habitat type on the site.
Representative of Mediterranean matorral, dominated by Olea europea, wild
olive, Osyris quadripartita, Rhamnus alaternus, Mediterranean buckthorn and
Pistacia lentiscus, lentisc with individual Laurus nobilis, sweet laurel and Celtis
australis, nettle tree scattered within them, being most common in the stated
areas.
b) Area of site covered by habitat in relation to the habitat in Gibraltar.
100%
c) Degree of conservation.
Fair. Existing trees and shrubs must be protected.
d) Global assessment.
Small areas of laurel-containing matorral, but such habitats are rare. The
Upper Rock is important under the Birds Directive. Macrothele calpeiana,
Gibraltar funnel-web spider and Coluber hippocrepis, horseshoe whip-snake
occur in this habitat.
Thermo-mediterranean and Pre-Steppe Brush
All types
Location:
Parts of the western slopes of the Rock of Gibraltar, within the Upper Rock Nature
Reserve, especially the area known as Rock Gun.
a) Degree of representation of the natural habitat type on the site.
Representative of pseudosteppe and garrigue. Nesting site for Alectoris barbara,
Barbary partridge and an important stopover site for migrant passerines.
Also a foraging site for Macaca sylvanus, Barbary macaque.
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