Candidatura Reserva da Biosfera - Santana Madeira Biosfera

entities with responsibility in the conservation and management of terrestrial and marine
natural resources.
The municipality of Santana has played and continues to play a key role in
maintaining these unique species and habitats, considering that within the area of the
proposed Biosphere Reserve, there are several patches of native vegetation representing
various habitats, the marine Reserve of Rocha do Navio of paramount importance for
success in preserving the monk seal and several species of seabirds and the Central
Mountainous Massif where the only nesting area of the Madeira Petrel is located, areas
where research and monitoring of habitats and species are permanent.
Besides the natural areas under protection which houses, the logistical support
structures created by governmental entities and the knowledge resulting from planned
and executed research and monitoring studies in various scientific fields, have proved to
be decisive in the management of native wild and agricultural resources in the
municipality of Santana, striking in the large number of Santana’s varieties existing in
germplasm banks, as well as restoration of wild populations of rare species like the white
orchid Goodyera macrophylla, an endemic endangered species, threatened of extinction
in the wild, whose recovery was carried out in Ribeiro Frio’s nursery, located in the parish
of São Roque do Faial.
There have been many cultural studies conducted in the district of Santana,
justified by its patrimonial wealth. The research carried out, mainly by technicians of the
Regional Directorate of Cultural Affairs (DRAC), included the inventory and registration of
the built, written, gastronomy, folklore and musical heritage. The knowledge resulting
from conducted research work was relevant in the management of human resources and
financial strategies since it allowed local authorities to act efficiently on preservation of
local culture, including through financial support for the recovery of original
characteristics of the various types of traditional buildings, musical and folkloric groups,
manufacturing and marketing of traditional products.
140 Application of Santana, Madeira to Biosphere Reserve – UNESCO - MAB