Candidatura Reserva da Biosfera - Santana Madeira Biosfera

eans and other vegetables and some fruit cultivars are grown. The goats, sheep and
cattle are kept in small traditional stone barns or in small corrals.
The large coastal and marine area included in the proposed Santana Biosphere
Reserve, is very rich in habitats typical of macaronesian cliffs and coasts, well
represented on the Ilhéu da Viúva and Ilhéu da Rocha das Vinhas islets. These islets, in
consequence of the low disturbance that are subject and the absence of predators, are
also privileged nesting sites to some pelagic and coastal seabird species. This whole area
of high natural value, has high touristic potential, such as walking the paths that exist in
the coastal cliffs, where visitors can observe the predominant macaronesian xerophytic
vegetation which includes several endemic species such as the emblematic pride of
madeira (Echium nervosum), the giant sow-thistle (Sonchus ustulatus), the Narrow-
leaved Rock Mustard (Sinapidendron angustifolium), the Saucer plant (Aeonium
glandulosum), the Fish-stunning Spurge (Euphorbia piscatoria), the Madeira Sea Stock
(Matthiola maderensis), besides a very rare tree species, the Juniper (Juniperus turbinata
ssp. canariensis), endemism whose specimens reach extraordinary sizes in this area.
These tours can be combined with marine touristic activities such as the observation of
whales & dolphins, sea turtles, monk seals and several species of seabirds.
Figure 9. Pilot-whales (Globicephala macrorhynchus)
Application of Santana, Madeira to Biosphere Reserve – UNESCO - MAB 21