of the madeira and selvagens archipelagos - redmic

PREFACE
During the history of Western knowledge, mankind progressed from a Judaic-Christian understanding
of the world, a conception featuring unbounded, available, largely unknown and inexhaustible
resources, mainly due to their capacity of self-regeneration, to a new conception, initiated in the Renaissance
and the Age of Discovery (early 15th century), expanded after the Industrial Revolution (from
the late 19th century) and culminating in current scientific knowledge. Presently, science shows that
our planet, the only place of the known universe where Life is present, has finite natural resources and
that life is dependent of a vast and complex web of fragile equilibriums, where an endless number of
chemical, physical and biological factors interact, and in which humankind plays an essential part.
The current model of development pursued by many contemporary societies, associated to the
growing dimension of the world population, is responsible for the increased imbalance of the Biosphere.
This alteration, occurring at the planetary scale, possibly without parallel since the extinction
of dinosaurs, has the following obvious causes and consequences: increment of pollution, vanishing
of ecosystems and natural habitats in vast geographical areas, extinction of countless populations
and species of the fauna and flora, increase in the frequency and violence of meteorological extreme
phenomena, which suggest climatic alterations will occur in a very short temporal scale, contrarily to
what was expected only a few decades ago.
There is little doubt that the great challenges of the 21st century will imply major changes in the
socioeconomic models and behaviours of our species, embracing a more sustainable model of economic
development, that will be able to preserve life in our planet, as we know it, and consequently
allow the survival of our species.
However, a sustainable management of the natural resources will only be possible if it is based
on positive and dynamic information data, reflecting the changeability of the reality, and related to
adequate technical instruments that may support the daily necessary decisions. In this context, I am
certain that the present work constitutes an invaluable scientific contribution and will be considered
an historical mark for the characterization of the Biodiversity of the Archipelago of Madeira, which is
an important contributor for the World Biodiversity and conservation work as demonstrated by international
recognition that the regional natural patrimony is receiving.
The present book was produced by an interdisciplinary research group, and included numerous
investigators and technicians from several renowned institutions in the study of biodiversity. First and
foremost I would like to present my sincere congratulations to them, and their achievement, paramount
for the application of an accountable environmental politics, within the Regional Government
of Madeira, a purpose that we have always been defending under the Government Program approved
by the population.
I also wish to extend my thanks to the European program INTERREG IIIB and to the three partners
of project BIONATURA, the “General Dirección del Natural Medio del Gobierno de Canarias”, the
“Agência Regional da Energia da Região Autónoma dos Açores” and our own “Direcção Regional do
Ambiente do Governo Regional da Madeira”, without which the execution of this project would not
have been possible.
I also want to acknowledge to the Madeira People that due to their conscientious attitude in their
relationship with Nature, is contributing to a sustainable development of Madeira where Man and Nature
are reciprocally valorised.
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To all, my best regards.
Manuel António Rodrigues Correia
Secretário Regional do Ambiente e dos Recursos Naturais
do Governo Regional da Madeira