Assessment Protocol to Evaluate the Degree of Conservation of Habitats of Community Interest: A Case Study for the 5220* HCI in the Westernmost Localities of Europe

The westernmost European nucleus of the 5220* Habitat Community Interest (HCI) is located in province Málaga (Andalusia). In this area, HCI characterized by presence scrublands Gymnosporia senegalensis subsp. europaea. This a relict species Europe, with inhabits only southeast Iberian Peninsula. nuclei are constituted three isolated (Málaga–Rincón de la Victoria; Torremolinos; and Pizarra). These have been partially mapped. objectives were: to map G. europaea detail; evaluate its degree conservation (DC); identify chronosequences evolution habitat from 1957 2021, fragmentation. Our results contributed generating 1:10,000 scale cartography habitat. general, DC obtained was good excellent. With an excellent value, one inland locality (Pizarra) highlighted. However, highest reduction value observed localities Torremolinos Málaga–Rincón Victoria which, addition, reduced area occupancy (AOO) fragmented. It important note that some areas reached values DC, indicating need carry out protection.