Since 1988, studies and projects are being carried out to learn more about endangered species and to find the most appropriate ways to protect them. Programs were developed for the genetic rescue of endangered species of flora, such as the bencomia de cumbre (encomia exstipulata) and the violeta or pensamiento de cumbre (viola palmensis).

In the year 2005, a Plan for the Conservation of the Flora of the Habitat of Cumbres del Norte de La Palma is adopted for the scope of the National Park. It includes proceedings on some catalogued species in different categories that are in danger of extinction, as the bencomia de cumbre (bencomia exstipulata); or that are sensitive to habitat alteration, as the Cerastium sventenii, the tajinaste azul (echium gentianoides), the retamón (genista benehoavensis) and the pensamiento de cumbre (viola palmensis); that are vulnerable, such as the tajinaste rosado (echium wildpretii ssp. trichosiphon); and of special interest, as the lechuguilla (lactuca palmensis), the falsa conejera (pterocephalus porphyranthus) and the peralillo de cumbre (sorbus aria). It also proposes tasks with uncatalogued species, with scarce populations that have a slow seed dispersal: the escibón (chamaecytisus proliferus), the ephedra major, the cedro (juniperus cedrus), the odontites sp., the retama (spartocytisus supranubius) and the gacia (teline stenopetala).

During the same year, programmes were approved for the conservation of the cabezón negro (cheirolophus arboreus), the col de risco (crambe microcarpa), the corregüela (convolvulus fruticulosus) and the garbancera (cicer canariense) in the medium and low areas of the park. Sowings were made with all of them, as well as small repopulations with Cicer and Convolvulus.

Conservation activities

Bencomia de cumbre (Bencomia exstipulata). This scrub, endemic to the summits of La Palma and Tenerife, is in danger of extinction since 1998 due to the shortage of natural populations. On the island, until 2010, there was only one known natural population on the cliffs of the head of the Barranco de Tajodeque, on the slope of the National Park at 2,100 m.a.s.l. In the inventory done in 2011, there were already 20 specimens. In 2010, a second population was discovered at the headwaters of Hoyo Verde with 40 specimens (only 13 were adults). In 2011, in the cliffs of the headwaters of Barranco de los Cantos, another population with 55 specimens was located, nearly all adults. In 2011, a fourth spot was discovered in the same ravine of Tajodeque, at a height of 1800 meters above sea level. It had 11 specimens, all adults. In 2011, sowings and repopulations with material of the first population were done. In 2012 began the reproduction of the specimens of the 3 new locations, to ensure the conservation of the genetic diversity of the species.

Retamón (Genista benehoavensis). It is a leguminous shrub of large size that grants uniqueness to the thickets of the summit of the island. Decimated by goats, rabbits, and fires, it is the star plant of the repopulation tasks that are being carried out by the Park, in collaboration with schools. It has gone up from 10 adult specimens in 1988 to about 5,000 in 2007.

Violeta o Pensamiento de cumbre (Viola palmensis). It is a unique species of the island that is naturally recolonizing the territory, although improvements to strengthen its population are being carried out.

Jarilla (Helianthemum cirae). Although scientifically it is not described yet, this species was discovered in the early 90s. A single specimen was detected, from which it was possible to harvest seeds that are being used to repopulate the area where it was found. In 2001 a programme was approved to recover the species and a population is maintained in the Visitors Centre in El Paso, from which large quantities of seeds are obtained. In 2011, 2 new localities with natural plants of helianthemun cirae were discovered in Valle del Riachuelo, in the middle of the cliffs, approximately 2 km apart, with less than 30 specimens each.

Odontites sp. It is a new taxon for the park and the island since the 90s. Recent genetic and morphological studies indicate a great proximity, although with some differences, with the species that exists in Madeira. It is not yet known whether it will be described as a subspecies or a new one. It has two populations at about 2,100 of altitude, in the ravines of Cantos de Turugumay and Hoyo Verde. A demographic monitoring of the natural population is being done, experimenting with sowing in 24 plots distributed throughout the summits.

Kunkeliella sp. In 2011 a new taxon is discovered, which belongs to the genus Kunkeliella. It can be found on the platform of Cazones Rotos, at about 1,650 m of altitude, with 37 identified specimens. In 2012 a new population is discovered, with 8 specimens in the head of the Barranco de Hoyo Verde. Its taxonomic position is still not clear.

In relation to the fight against invasive alien species in La Caldera, several tasks were carried out to control the plants that were making the emplacement difficult for the indigenous communities of the moist enclaves at the bottom of the ravine and in the surroundings of the springs, in particular the haragán (ageratina adenophora). However, after several years uprooting plants and repopulating with indigenous species, it returned to colonize the park, deterred finally from its control. The rabo de gato (pennisetum setaceum) is another species that is trying to colonize the park from its lowest parts, although, in this case, all populations that are detected are eradicated in the entire island.