Candidatura Reserva da Biosfera - Santana Madeira Biosfera

4.2. BE OF SIGNIFICANCE FOR BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY
CONSERVATION
Madeira is, in terms of biological diversity, the second richest of Macaronesian
archipelagos, with the island of Tenerife housing the largest overall number of species
and endemisms. However, considering the number of taxa per unit area, Madeira takes
the top spot in Macaronesia, with an overall index higher than the island of Tenerife. This
high species richness in unique life forms, is a reflection of the high variability of
ecological conditions on the island that are derived from its location in relation to the
continents of Africa and Europe and also its topography. The high biological importance
of Madeira is recognized internationally.
The Municipality of Santana hosts various habitats in excellent conservation
conditions, providing a refuge for some biological communities which are habitats to
many unique species. In the marine and coastal areas of Santana county, several
Macaronesian habitats occur, which are of paramount importance to the life cycle of
species like the monk seal (Monachus monachus) and the common turtle (Caretta
caretta) listed as priority species in Habitats Directive and populations of Cory’s
shearwaters (Calonectris diomedea borealis), Common tern (Sterna hirundo), Bulwer’s
petrel (Bulweria bulwerii) and Madeiran storm petrel (Oceanodroma castro), all listed in
Annex I of Birds Directive.
Figure 10. The monk seal, priority species in Habitats Directive
22 Application of Santana, Madeira to Biosphere Reserve – UNESCO - MAB