The Azores has a strong terrestrial biodiversity due to its climatic variations, where you can encounter completely different weather conditions on the same day and within just a few kilometers. Even at the same place it can be sunny and warm one moment, while barely an hour later you suddenly have dense fog and rain. This is because of the many mountain ranges and valleys on the islands, which influence wind and precipitation. The variation in climate, the – due to its location – far out on the ocean, its highly insular nature and the geology that plays out very differently on each of the islands, provide every single one of them with a multitude of unique ecological conditions and produce a great diversity of flora on this yet relatively small scale.
“Corvo (2007), Graciosa (2007), Flores (2009) and São Jorge (2017) are in its entirety UNESCO protected biosphere, one-third of all protected areas granted to Portugal.”
Four of the 9 islands, Corvo (2007), Graciosa (2007), Flores (2009) and São Jorge (2017) are in its entirety UNESCO protected biosphere, one-third of all protected areas granted to Portugal, out of some 750 worldwide. Biosphere areas deserve separate protection for the conservation of biodiversity and ecosystems as a whole, and also act as platforms for sustainable social and economic development for monitoring, research and education.
The great diversity of habitats and ecosystems is fueled by its distinct geography. Among the endemic species characteristic of the islands are several Tracheophyta (vascular plants), Bryophytes ((leaf mosses) and also Laurasilva (laurel) forests.
You will also find a variety of orchids, some of which are also endemic to the islands. Interestingly enough, Hydrangea (Hydrangea), the national flower of the Azores, is actually not endemic at all.
Some of the flora present is also (partly) protected under Natura 2000 (natural areas within the EU), OSPAR (biological diversity and ecosystems) and Ramsar (wetlands and marshes).
To actively preserve the archipelago’s biosphere, the Regional Government has already established a training programme for professionals and to educate population in general, with the goal of controlling and eradicating the misuse of harmful pesticides.
As it is to be expected that the complete Azores will reach Biosphere Reserve status all together, this will require that the Government increases its efforts to achieve elimination of toxic chemical use within a short time frame and start promoting sustainable alternatives.
