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/

Francisco.LW.Macedo@azores.gov.pt Jose.MN.Azevedo@azores.gov.pt Luisa.MC.Madruga@azores.gov.pt

José AZEVEDO Luisa MADRUGA BEST III Macaronesia Ecosystem Profile Expert