largest biodiversity reservoir of europe: more than 5,600 ... · largest biodiversity reservoir of...
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Largest biodiversity reservoir of Europe: more than 5,600 endemics among 23,000
marine and terrestrial species Ecosystem profile for the Macaronesia overseas region
3 EU overseas entities (2 PT / 1 ES)
Luisa Madruga, Francisco Wallenstein
& José Azevedo Fundo Regional para a Ciência e Tecnologia
(FRCT)
Context Total area 99% marine area
> 3x size of Spain and Portugal together With the Azores being the largest of the ORs
Population density Average 245/km2 > double the pop. density of Portugal mainland Canaries are the most populated EU overseas with over 2 million inhabitants
Average GDP per capita
still lower than Portugal or Spain mainland
© hotel Riu Palace Madeira www.visitazores.com
Biological importance of the region
Tourism Agriculture Fisheries
Canary Is. Tourism ~ 15% of GAV while agriculture and fisheries remain important in Azores
Economy relies largely on natural resources and biodiversity
Mycteroperca fusca (EN) Macaronesia
23,000 marine and terrestrial species, from which more than 5,600 endemics
Existing biodiversity
658 globally threatened species, 92% endemics
Azorina vidalii (EN) Azores
Pterodroma madeira (EN) Madeira
Gallotia galloti (CR) Canaries
At least 40% of endemics are known from only one site
Habitat degradation of Laurissilva: Reduction of native evergreen humid forest to < 20% of original cover has led species to extinction
Existing biodiversity
Existing biodiversity Some recent extinctions
Haematopus meadewaldoi Canary Island oystercatcher (XX century) Emberiza alcoveri
Escribano patilargo (recent)
Others (Canary Is.): Monilearia arguineguinensis Monilearia pulverulenta
Existing biodiversity Probable current extinctions
Atlantica guerinianus (Madeira)
Pieris wollastoni (Madeira)
Leyostila cassida (Madeira)
Leyostila cassidula (Madeira)
Monilearia granostriata (Canary Is.)
Sculptiferussacia clausiliaeformis (Canary Is.)
© Liftarn
Main threats and pressures on biodiversity habitat destruction fostered by
human population growth (exacerbated by tourism),
agriculture and forestry
Alien species
© Jose_Ortiz
© Giuseppe_Nerilli
Key biodiversity areas (KBAs) AZORES – example of S. Miguel Island
Pink: CR & EN Blue: VU Yellow: Endemic Lines: Protected areas
Key biodiversity areas (KBAs) Madeira archipelago
Identified KBAs
Priority 1 KBAs
Terrestrial 13 3
Terrestrial & Marine
3 3
Total 16 6 Provisional results
Lines: KBAs Green: Priority 1
Key biodiversity areas (KBAs) CANARY ISLANDS
Identified KBAs
Priority 1 KBAs
Terrestrial 166 29
Marine 7 0
Total 173 29 Provisional results
Key biodiversity areas (KBAs) CANARY ISLANDS – example of Tenerife
Lines: KBAs Green: Priority 1
Current conservation activities
Project Budget Results
Saving Pyrrhula murina from extinction (since 2003)
€ 3.363.260 (2013-2018)
Species went from "CR" to "EN” (IUCN’s Red List); recovered over 100 ha. of endemic bullfinch’s habitat; creation of a visitors centre
Saving Monachus monachus from extinction (since 1988)
1,143,364 € (2014-2018)
Creation of a Nature Reserve to protect the monk seal; recovery of the only surviving Macaronesian population of the monk seal (CR)
Expanding the range of Columba junoniae
1,401,870€ (2013-2017)
Re-introducing the white tailed laurel pigeon and creation of a viable population (75-100 pairs) on Gran Canaria
Current investments in conservation International and EU level
• CBD
• CITES • Bern Convention • Bonn Convention • Ramsar Convention
Ratification of Treaties and Conventions:
• EC Birds and Habitats directives and the Natura 2000 network • Man and Biosphere programme • network REDBIOS
Other policy instruments:
Current investments in conservation Regional level
Cooperation between the Canaries, Madeira and Azores islands supported by EU programmes
Programme Period
Interreg V-A Spain-Portugal (Madeira-Azores-Canary Is. [MAC]) (and Cape Verde, Maritania and Senegal as 3rd countries)
2014-2020
Transnational Cooperation Programme Madeira-Açores-Canarias (MAC)
2007-2013
INTERREG III-B Community Initiative Programme 2000-2006
Current investments in conservation Regional level
Cooperation between the Canaries, Madeira and Azores islands supported by EU programs
Bionatura: management and Conservation of Macaronesian Biodiversity (priority species list and a list of the most important exotic species)
MACETUS: creation of a Macaronesian Network for the study of cetaceans
BASEMAC: ex-situ conservation project for the threatened endemic species of Madeira, Azores and Canary Islands
OGAMP: planning and management of MPAs to promote the Integrated Coastal Zone Plans for those marine and coastal areas included in Natura 2000 network
Reia-Mac: network of Environmental Education and Information Centres in Madeira, Azores and the Canary islands
Current investments in conservation Local level
Significant effort in each off the archipelagos to establish a network of protected areas, as well as on implementing Natura 2000 Network
MACARONESIA
Nº Area (ha) Marine area (%)
Land area (%)
Protected areas 289 11 820 820 7% 45% Natura 2000 Network 288 1 729 165 Other areas with conservation status Nº Area (ha)
Important Bird Areas 119 2 296 627 Biosphere Reserves 11 932 363 Ramsar 14 13 027 OSPAR 8 569 999 Alliance for Zero Extinction 2 n.a Primary Butterfly Area 1 n.a © Nélida Rodríguez
Current investments in conservation Local level
Implemented LIFE-Nature projects in the region (1996-2014) Nº Examples
65
• conservation of endemic birds, such as the Azorean bullfinch (Pyrrhula murina), the Gran Canaria blue chaffinch (Fringilla teydea polatzeki) and dark and white tailed laurel pigeons (Columba bolli, C. junoniae)
• management and conservation of the Laurisilva Forest of Madeira
• recovery plans and reintroduction of the giant lizard of El Hierro (Gallotia simonyi machadoi)
• measures for the recovery of the monk seal (Monachus monachus) in the Atlantic and support projects for the conservation of the loggerhead turtle (Caretta caretta) and the bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus)
Critical areas for action and investment needs
Baseline data collection & species assessment • Distribution and abundance, assessment of
conservation status
Research • Enhancement of coordinated research on
local ecosystems and endemic species, as well as on invasive species
Habitat restoration & biodiversity maintenance • Ecological restoration of natural habitats
Invasive alien species control • Development of eradication/
control programmes
Critical areas for action and investment needs
© Jose_Ortiz
Annual investment needs for Natura 2000 in Macaronesia (estimates for the period 2014-2020)
Macaronesia: € 207.2 million
• € 25.0 million Azores
• € 4.7 million Madeira
• € 177.5 million Canary Islands
Priorities & investment niches
Priorities & investment niches
Species recovery plans (Canary Islands)
Taxa Investment needs/year (€)
Arthropods 435,571 Birds 678,450 Molluscs 3,217,558 Plants 3,057,501 Reptiles 950,023 Total 12,101,012
Monitoring conservation status
For plants (population and phenology): € 20,000/year/species
Mammals and fish: to be estimated © Marcel Gil
Priorities & investment niches
Creation of micro-reserves in areas of severely fragmented
habitats (Madeira)
Priorities & investment niches
€
Comprehensive mapping of
marine habitat and species distribution (La Palma example)
Priorities & investment niches
€
Study distribution of sperm whales on
navigation channels to reduce ship
strikes (Canary Islands)
€ 400,000/one year project (estimated
cost)
Francisco WALLENSTEIN
Contact us in the Macaronesia hub
BEST III Macaronesia Coordinator
BEST III Macaronesia Expert
http://www.azores.gov.pt/Portal/pt/entidades/srmct-frct/
[email protected] [email protected] [email protected]
José AZEVEDO Luisa MADRUGA BEST III Macaronesia Ecosystem Profile Expert