Illa de s'Espartar explained

Illa de s'Espartar
Map:Spain Balearic Islands
Area Km2:5.40
Location:Balearic Sea
Coordinates:38.9587°N 1.1958°W
Archipelago:Balearic Archipelago
Country Admin Divisions Title 2:Autonomous Community
Country Admin Divisions 2:Balearic Islands
Country Admin Divisions Title 3:Province
Country Admin Divisions 3:Ibiza
Country Admin Divisions Title 4:Municipality
Country Admin Divisions 4:Sant Josep de sa Talaia
Population:0

Illa de s'Espartar is a small uninhabited island of the north west seaboard of the Spanish island of Ibiza.[1] It is within the municipality of Sant Josep de sa Talaia.[2] The island is 8.4km (05.2miles) west of the town of Sant Antoni de Portmany and is one of the smaller islands of the Balearic archipelago.

Ecology

Fauna and Flora

The land is rocky and arid which supports 131 species including some endemic rare shrubs. This includes a very rare flowering alfalfa plant, alfalfa arborea. It is a member of the pea family and is on the red list[3] of threatened species. Other vegetation includes such shrubs and herbs as rosemary, thyme and rue, which grow in abundance here. The fauna of the island includes an abundance of rabbits. There is also a sub-species[4] of the Ibizan wall lizard on the island. It is also home to a colony of the endangered bird of prey Eleonora's falcon. There are also endemic beetles and snails. Birds include red-billed gulls and cormorants. There is also the largest colony in the western Mediterranean of the European storm petrel (Hydrobates pelagicus).

Notes and References

  1. Mapa Topografico Nacional de Espana, 798 Eivissa. 1:50.000. Published: IGN - CNIG (Spain Civilian Survey): 2006.
  2. "579 Regional Map, Spain, Islas Baleares. Pub:Michelin Editions des Voyages, 2004,
  3. http://www.iucnredlist.org/details/61653/0 Threatened species red list
  4. http://www.vertebradosibericos.org/reptiles/pdf/podpit.pdf Info on Sub-species of wall lizards