Conservation

Spectacled Warbler Sylvia conspicallata

Paul da Serra, Madeira

Photo: John Caddick

Conservation in Madeira has recently focused on the plight of the endemic Zino's Petrel Pterodroma madeira with a proposal to build a military installation in the vicinity of the breeding area. Investigations are still ongoing to establish what effect, if any, this may have.

Madeira's laurel forest, the largest remaining laurel forest in the world is also under pressure from construction. Only 14% of the original area of forest is left on Madeira. The creation of the Parque Natural da Madeira which covers almost two-thirds of the island and virtually all the remaining laurel forest has contributed to the recovery of Trocaz Pigeon Columba trocaz with 3,500-5,000 birds and increasing.

The pressure of construction is also having a detrimental effect in other areas, for example the destruction of some of the habitat for breeding Spectacled Warbler Sylvia conspicallata near Caniçal. Disturbance is also an issue with Roseate Terns Sterna dougallii failing to breed near Ponta da Cruz in recent years. The Desertas Islands benefit from protection and visitor numbers are strictly controlled.

Last page update 20th June 2010