Mirjam Schibler investigates forests on Tenerife. They are very important habitats as they are very biodiverse and harbor many endemic species. They also provide important ecosystem services such as the capture and filtration of water.
There are two different forest types on the island: Pine Forest and Laurel Forest, both of which I visited and are distinctly different. Pine forests are an open forest with thin undergrowth and characterized by the occurrence of Canary Island pine (Pinus canariensis). Laurel forests are dense forests occurring in areas of frequent rainfall and high humidity.