N2000 Sites of Interest on Madeira Island

The N2000 sites of interest on Madeira island for the LIFE Natura@night project include Ponta de São Lourenço, Pico do Facho, Porto Novo, Pináculo, Laurissilva da Madeira, Ilhéu da Viúva, and Desertas. The

Ponta de São Lourenço is a rocky peninsula at the eastern end of Madeira Island featuring unique habitats including shallow coves, cliffs with endemic flora, pre-desert bushes, sea caves, and Juniperus forests. This area supports five habitat types. The area is also home to 39 species protected by the Birds or Habitats Directives, including 29 birds, 7 flowering plants, 2 mammals, and 1 reptile. Notable bird species include Bulwer's Petrel, Cory's Shearwater, Madeiran Storm Petrel, and Audubon's Shearwater.

Pico do Facho is located in a transition zone between the north and south sides of the island which boasts unique flora and 4 protected habitat types: cliffs with endemic flora, endemic heaths, pre-desert thermo-Mediterranean scrub, and olea and ceratonia forests. The area supports 10 species protected by the Birds or Habitats Directives, including 1 flowering plant and 9 birds, with Cory's Shearwater being a notable seabird. Additionally, three bat species—Madeira pipistrelle, Leisler's bat, and grey long-eared bat may inhabit this area.

The Site of Community Importance (SCI) at Ribeira do Porto Novo features four protected habitats: cliffs with endemic flora of the Macaronesian coasts, thermo-Mediterranean pre-desert scrub, olea and ceratonia forests, and Macaronesian laurel. This SCI is home to 6 species protected by the Birds or Habitats Directives, including 4 birds and 2 flowering plants. Cory's shearwater, a seabird, is notable here, along with three bat species: Madeira pipistrelle, Leisler's bat, and grey long-eared bat.

This site provides favorable conditions for nesting seabirds and features four types of habitats protected by the Habitats Directive: cliffs with endemic flora of the Macaronesian coasts, thermo-Mediterranean pre-desert scrub, olea and ceratonia forests, and Macaronesian laurel (Laurus, Ocotea). It is home to 23 species protected by the Birds or Habitats Directives, including 17 birds, 5 flowering plants, and 1 invertebrate. Additionally, five species of bats may occur in this area: Madeira pipistrelle, lesser noctule, Leisler's bat , Kuhl's bat , and grey long-eared bat (Plecotus austriacus).

The central mountain range of Madeira, dominated by basalt and rugged volcanic soils, features a diverse array of endemic plants and is crucial for feeding the island's underground aquifers. This area is a critical breeding ground for endangered seabirds, including the endemic Zino's Petrel and Puffinus puffinus.

The Laurissilva Forest, covering 20% of Madeira, is an indigenous evergreen forest dating back to the Earth's Tertiary Period. It includes five habitat types protected by the Habitats Directive, such as cliffs with endemic Macaronesian flora and pre-desert thermo-Mediterranean bushland. It is home to 59 species protected by the Birds or Habitats Directives, including flowering plants, ferns, mosses, liverworts, invertebrates, and birds. Notable species include the Macaronesian Sparrowhawk and three bat species: Madeira pipistrelle, Leisler's bat, and grey long-eared bat.

Ilhéu da Viúva is part of the Rocha do Navio Nature Reserve, hosts several endemic plants and features three protected habitats: cliffs with endemic flora, pre-desert thermo-Mediterranean scrub, and submerged or semi-submerged sea caves. The islet is home to 5 protected species, including 2 mammals, 1 reptile, and 2 birds.

This Natura 2000 area features flows formed by volcanic melts and salty pyroplasts, characterized by low rainfall (-250 mm) and a warm desert climate that supports well-preserved Indian fig and tobacco trees. In its area, 4 habitat types are protected by the Habitats Directive: pre-desert thermo-Mediterranean scrub, siliceous rocky slopes with chasmophytic vegetation, southern riparian galleries and scrub (Nerio-Tamaricetea and Securinegion tinctoriae), endemic Canarian pine forests.