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Due to the proximity of the African continent, the reserve’s climate is very arid, resulting in an almost complete lack of tree cover. However, the lack of abundant vegetation facilitates the observation of climate change impacts on the islands and efforts to understand the development of geological features. Volcanic activity can be traced back more than 20 million years with the formation of a mountain more than 3,000 metres in altitude. However, the highest mountain on the island today barely exceeds 800 metres.The main habitat types in Fuerteventura are steppe, sea cliffs and the largest desert and semi-desert in Europe. However, despite its arid character the island hosts a significant range of biodiversity.Zygophylletum Fontanesii(genus of Zygophyllaceae family) andTringa nebularia(Common greenshank) are the most common flora species, while other noticeable species areOlea europaea(Olive),Pistacia atlantica(Persian turpentine tree) andPistacia lentiscus(small tree of the pistachio genus). In addition, the biosphere reserve is home to approximately 644 species of vascular plants, representing one-third of all such species found on the Canary Islands.Fossils of extinct fauna species provide historical evidence of a rich diversity. Examples includeStrombus bobonius(Sea snail),Puffinus holeae(Dune shearwater) andMalpaisomys insularis(Lava mouse). Contemporary fauna species of special interest areFalco tinnunculus(Common kestrel),Larus michahellis(Yellow-legged gull) andCalonectris diomedea(Cory’s shearwater). A number of vulnerable animal species also live on Fuerteventura, includingPuffinus assimilis(Little shearwater) andBulweria bulwerii(Bulwer’s petrel).