Discover the biodiversity of the lime tree forest

Taking a deep breath in Los Tilos is to feel water, light, and green entering the lungs. It is not just an aesthetic experience; it is a measurable reality and a tribute to nature in its pure state. This place, also known as the lime tree forest, shows how conservation and respect for the Canarian essence translate into tangible benefits for those living in the Canary Islands. The laurisilva that roots in the northeast of La Palma transforms carbon dioxide into biomass, releases oxygen, and traps fine particles. That is why, when it is said that La Palma is an island that breathes, it is not a hollow slogan. It refers to a living forest that regulates the climate, cleans the air, and supports a hydrological cycle that nourishes springs and fountains throughout the year.

At the same time, the feeling is profoundly human. The temperature drops a couple of degrees upon crossing the threshold of the forest, the humidity clings to the skin, and the trade winds bring mists that turn into drops on the leaves. Everything seems organized so that breathing is easier, reflecting a Canarian lifestyle rooted in respect for the environment.

The laurisilva as an oxygen factory and carbon sink

Los Tilos, the heart of the La Palma lime tree forest, functions as a large photosynthesis plant. The trees capture CO₂ and, using solar energy, convert it into sugars, wood, leaves, and roots. The byproduct is oxygen: just what we need to live. This process is key to environmental conservation and the protection of nature in the Canary Islands.

• Global science estimates that terrestrial vegetation absorbs approximately one-third of the CO₂ emissions we generate each year. Most of this work is done by forests.
• The living biomass of the planet stores hundreds of gigatons of carbon, with forest soils holding even more. They are silent repositories that stabilize the climate.

Los Tilos is no exception. As the forest grows and regenerates, the carbon balance is net negative: CO₂ enters and O₂ exits. A mature medium-sized tree can incorporate about 38 kg of carbon per year, which equals about 140 kg of CO₂ removed from the atmosphere. Approximately, one hectare of laurisilva with dozens of mature trees can sequester around 10–20 tons of CO₂ each year.

Oxygen production runs in parallel. Again, with approximate figures, a large tree can release around 100 kg of O₂ annually. When scaled to the hectare, we are talking about dozens of tons. This order of magnitude helps visualize an informative fact: it is estimated that between seven and eight healthy trees can cover the oxygen that one person needs in a year.

These are not exact figures from Los Tilos, as specific series are still lacking, but the behavior is consistent with what is known for well-conserved wet forests. The key message is clear: the forest is breathing for us.

A biological filter against pollutants

Not everything is CO₂. The forest vegetation captures suspended particles and reactive gases. The leaves, rough trunks, and thick layers of mosses and lichens serve as deposition surfaces. Fine particles PM₁₀ and PM₂,₅ adhere and eventually integrate into the soil through washing or gravity. Additionally, small waterfalls naturally forming in the environment enhance the washing effect of pollutants.

In regions where urban pollution is high, this effect has been measured in detail: trees significantly reduce concentrations of particulate matter. In La Palma, the main sources of poor air quality do not come from mass traffic or industry, but from natural phenomena: episodes of volcanic ash, SO₂ related to eruptions, and Saharan dust. The role of the forest in these cases is stabilizing. While the trade winds renew the atmosphere, the forest mass retains dust and cushions local peaks, providing air refuges that are more breathable even during adverse episodes.

The network of stations driven by MITECO confirms that, outside volcanic situations or dust intrusions, air quality indices on the island are classified as good. The existence of such a dense forest as Los Tilos contributes to maintaining this trend, and the information collected through technologies such as webcams and live cameras reinforces this knowledge.

Microclimate that creates water: horizontal rain

Los Tilos is famous for a phenomenon that seems magical, but it's pure atmospheric physics: horizontal rain. The trade winds push low, humid clouds against the northeastern slopes of La Palma. The fog collides with the treetops, condenses on leaves, lichens, and mosses, and drips to the ground. Without forming large storm clouds, the forest traps water from the mists and slowly dispenses it over the terrain, something that can be checked live by monitoring sensors in the area.

This discreet rain maintains stable humidity even when direct precipitation is lower. It feeds springs such as those of Marcos and Cordero, sustains seasonal streams, and recharges aquifers. At the same time, it lowers air temperature through evapotranspiration, softening thermal extremes and generating orographic cloudiness that shades the valley. Additionally, hiking along the forest trails allows for close enjoyment of this natural and refreshing experience.

In a territory like La Palma, with peaks exceeding 2,400 m and a gradient that compresses multiple climatic layers, this mechanism turns the northeast into a perennial green corridor. The island literally produces part of its own water in the forest.

Biodiversity supporting the air cycle

A forest that cleanses and humidifies the air needs abundant biodiversity. The laurisilva of Los Tilos houses more than twenty tree and shrub species typical of Macaronesia, with endemisms that do not exist anywhere else. Among the most well-known:

• Laurel (Laurus novocanariensis)
• Viñátigo (Persea indica)
• Barbusano (Apollonias barbujana)
• Acebiño (Ilex canariensis)
• Canary Lime and native tree ferns

The structure in various layers is key: high canopies that create vaults, a dense understory, trunks covered in moss, and a network of epiphytes that multiplies the surface area for exchange with the air. Every centimeter of moss retains moisture, every leaf captures particles, and every vine shades the ground and improves the microclimate. The information obtained from field studies and real-time updates from environmental sensors help validate the importance of these interactions.

The fauna is also present: endemic pigeons such as the Turqué and the Rabiche disperse seeds, reptiles like the lizard participate in the food chain, and island bats help control insects. This natural web is part of the Canary identity and reinforces the commitment to environmental conservation, essential for the well-being of those who choose to live in the Canaries.

Geography and relief: why it works so well here

The location matters. The Tilos is situated in deep ravines and shady slopes of the northeast of La Palma, between 400 and 800 m altitude. It has the perfect orientation to receive moisture from the trade winds. The exposure and topography create a humid subtropical microclimate, with temperatures in the forest typically ranging between 15 and 19 °C and effective precipitation that can exceed 500 mm annually thanks to mist capture.

The volcanic soils of the area, rich in organic matter, act as sponges for carbon and water. The structure of the land reduces erosion when the forest cover is continuous. Moreover, several trails, such as the Route of Marcos and Cordero, allow for both hiking and direct observation of these natural processes. The result is a landscape with local climatic stability, ideal for laurisilva to maintain its function as a carbon sink and atmospheric filter.

Why do we call the Los Tilos forest “magical”?

There is no single legend to explain the nickname, but the atmosphere justifies it. The green twilight, the murmur of small waterfalls, the damp shine of moss, and the mist that silently enters among the trunks create a sensory experience that has inspired tales of dance halls and enchanted places in the Canary Islands for centuries. This feeling intertwines with the Canary identity, where tradition and modernity coexist in harmony.

Beyond tradition, the current magic of Los Tilos is environmental: the conjunction of climate, relief, and vegetation creates an atmosphere that feels distinct. And it is.

Numbers that illustrate its contribution

It is advisable to ground this narrative with reference magnitudes. These are approximate values based on studies of humid forests and reported estimates, but they are useful for comparing orders of magnitude.

A note on the oxygen of the entire island helps to understand the concept of 'breathing island.' The palm population is around 85,000 people. The annual oxygen consumption per person is close to 0.74 tons. Even assuming that only a fraction of the island territory is covered by mature forests, the O₂ production derived from laurisilva and other forest masses far exceeds local human demand. It is not only about exact numbers but confirming a robust trend: the plant system produces excess oxygen while simultaneously removing CO₂.

Active protection and applied science

Los Tilos did not arrive here by chance. It is included in the Las Nieves Natural Park, the Scientific Interest Site of Barranco del Agua and was the core of the first Biosphere Reserve declared by UNESCO in the Canary Islands in 1983, before the distinction was extended to the whole island in 2002. These figures bring with them strict regulations regarding logging, construction, water use, and transit, as well as restoration programs and control of invasive species, exemplifying conservation in action.

Modern management incorporates science. Spring flows are monitored, flora and fauna are tracked, and research on carbon capture and air quality is promoted. Outreach and environmental education complete the circle: with better-informed visitors, pressure on the forest decreases. Additionally, updated live information via webcams and cameras helps those enjoying hiking to know the state of the surroundings in real-time.

Visit and care: quick guide for a responsible experience

Enjoying a space that cleans the air you live in requires small conscious decisions. They do not diminish freedom; they enhance the quality of the visit and reinforce Canarian identity.

• Stay on marked trails and explore each route with respect for nature.
• Protect roots, mosses, and seedlings, essential for the conservation of this ecosystem.
• Avoid touching or uprooting epiphytes and ferns. They are part of the 'lung' of the forest.
• Reduce noise. Wildlife avoids noise, and the experience gains in serenity.
• Minimize waste. What goes up with you, comes back with you.
• Check the air quality status during periods of dust or volcanic activity. Some routes may require adjustments.

Extra advice: if you're attracted to the hydrology of the area, take the Marcos and Cordero Route with the appropriate equipment. This way, hiking becomes an experience full of practical and live information, bringing visitors closer to the true Canarian essence.

Challenges and opportunities for a breathing island

The climate is changing, and with it, the rules of the game are changing. Rising temperatures, more intense droughts, changes in the pattern of trade winds, or the arrival of invasive species can strain the balance. In a cloud forest, small variations in the height of the cloud layer are already noticeable.

There is room for action. Some impactful lines:

• Expand ecological connectivity between laurisilva masses by creating corridors that facilitate the flow of species and resilience against disturbances.
• Restore degraded slopes with native species that maximize the capture of fog water and carbon storage in soils.
• Integrate carbon flow sensors and particle deposition stations to continuously measure the function of 'lung' and 'filter.'
• Design citizen science volunteer programs to collect data on phenology, moss moisture, or the presence of lichens that indicate air quality.
• Adjust tourism management to dynamic carrying capacity thresholds, with real-time communication and walkways where soil degradation is critical.

A particularly promising line combines ancestral knowledge and technology: harness horizontal rain in discreet fog collection infrastructures to supply nearby hamlets without overloading springs. The forest teaches how to do this gently, on a path of innovation that embodies the spirit of the Canary Islands.

La Palma, the island that breathes

This motto is not born from a pretty metaphor. It has ecological, climatic, and social foundations. Los Tilos, as a symbolic and functional core, not only offers a landscape of great beauty but also provides oxygen, water, and thermal stability. It contributes to the well-being of its inhabitants and those who visit, reflecting a Canary Island lifestyle and the identity of those who choose to live in the Canaries. And, as part of the great network of forests on the planet, it contributes to the global balance of carbon and oxygen.

To perceive it, a simple gesture is enough: stop silently among the tilos, watch through live webcams how the fog turns into droplets on a fern, and take a breath. The information that envelops this environment explains why it is easier to breathe here and why caring for nature is an act of collective intelligence and conservation.