Candidatura Reserva da Biosfera - Santana Madeira Biosfera

3. FULFILLMENT OF THE THREE FUNCTIONS OF
BIOSPHERE RESERVES
3.1. CONSERVATION
The proposed Biosphere Reserve, Santana, is located and matches to the
municipality with the same name, north of Madeira, Autonomous Region of Madeira, with
head office in the city and parish of Santana. This reserve includes a land component,
corresponding to the entire emerged surface of the municipality and also a marine
component, containing in the aggregate a wide variety of natural and human values,
scenic, natural and cultural environment of local, regional, national and international
interest. The natural diversity is manifested by a rich fauna and flora that incorporates a
high degree of endemism and an integral representation of the most relevant ecological
units of Madeira, from the marine and coastal ecosystems to the high altitude vegetation,
through the laurel forest, World Natural Heritage of UNESCO.
A significant percentage of the municipal area is classified in terms of protection,
and these areas - Natural Reserve of Rocha do Navio (Marine Protected Area and Site of
the Natura 2000), the Central Highlands (Natura 2000 site), laurel forest (Site of the
Natura 2000 and UNESCO World Natural Heritage), correspond to the core areas of the
proposed reserve, strengthening itself with the Biosphere Reserve's contribution to the
conservation and sustainable use of these species and natural ecosystems.
10 Application of Santana, Madeira to Biosphere Reserve – UNESCO - MAB