The laurel forest of Madeira
A remnant of a forest type millions of years old, it only survives in Macaronesia, the Canary Islands, the Azores and Madeira. However, at most 40 million years ago it covered much of southern Europe and the Mediterranean basin. Native forest inhabits the wilderness areas of the northern coast, which is between 300 and 1,400 metres high. It lives in an environment where humidity is above 85%. Four species of trees from the laurel family dominate the Madeira forest: the barbosano or Tenerife laurel (Apollonias barbujana), the vinhático or royal laurel (Persea indica), the til or Madeira laurel (Foetid laurel) and the loureiro or Azores laurel (Laurel). Other endemic species, such as the famous Madeira geranium (Geranium maderense), grow in these wetlands. Lily-of-the-valley trees, tree heather, wild broom and pittosporums are also commonly found here. Not forgetting the bevy of fern species (around 40), the 80 species of vascular plants endemic to Madeira, bryophytes, mosses (including around 20 endangered species) and lichens.
A biodiversity conservatory...
A subtropical climate, humid in the north and dry in the south, has allowed the proliferation of a diverse flora in Madeira. A flowery Eden, Madeira dazzles most in spring when the buds burst into bloom and line its valleys with a range of acidulous colours. The bright orange of the birds of paradise, the mauve of the bougainvillea, the soft hues of the fragile orchids or the exoticism of Satan's firebrand make up the island's colourful flora. This biological richness, aided by a mild climate all year round, is also the result of the passionate work of botanists who have introduced species collected from all over the world into Madeira's natural landscape since the first centuries of colonization.
...which blossoms up to the mountains
Madeira's high peaks enjoy a temperate climate which favours the growth of typical mountain vegetation. There are many endemic plants such as the Madeira violet (Viola paradoxa) and the mountain orchid. Herbaceous plants and heather are abundant. The plateau of Paúl da Serra with its flat surface subject to wind and fog presents a singular flora whose plants rarely exceed 10 centimetres. In Ribeira Brava, Cabo Girão or on the Ponta de São Lourenço, an equally windy but much drier climate has encouraged the proliferation of grassy plants and a host of endemic species, such as the elegant viperine (Echium nervosum), with its blue and violet reflections, or Argyranthemum pinnatifidum, a cousin of the daisy
Trocaz pigeon and endemic fauna
Inféodé to the laurel forests of the north coast, whose berries it likes, the Trocaz pigeon exists only in Madeira. This rare bird is strictly protected as an endangered species. This protection has led to a recent increase in its population. It must be said that its natural habitat was reduced by more than 80% during the colonisation of the archipelago. In fact, it has totally disappeared from Porto Santo, where it once lived.
It is on the mountainous slopes of the north of the island, in the heart of the forest, that you may have the chance to observe this bird with its uniform grey coat, pink throat and silvery neck, although it also nests in a few isolated nooks and crannies in the south of the island. Other highly endemic species nest in the Laurissilva, such as the Madeira Kinglet (Madeira's smallest bird!), the Madeira Tree Finch and the Madeira Pipistrelle and Leisler's Noctule, two rare species of bats. And for those who are afraid of small "beasts", rest assured, there are no snakes in the archipelago, but thousands of lizards, only one poisonous beast (a spider, the malmignatte) and one really scary but harmless spider, the thick legged lycosis, are worth mentioning
The Madeira Petrel and the marine avifauna
Also "endangered", even more threatened than the Trocaz pigeon, the Madeira Petrel is another species that can only be observed in Madeira. Although it is one of the most endangered species of seabirds in the world, it is still possible to find it in a few breeding sites nesting in the hollows of the massifs in the center of the island (between the end of March and mid-October), near the typical plants of the ledge, and at night. The rest of the time, at sea, fish and squids constitute its main food, but it is, at sea, more difficult to identify. We can also mention the Yellow-legged Gull, a medium-sized species with a gray coat and yellow pasta that nests in a colony on the islet of Desembarcadouro (in Ponta de São Lourenço), as well as Castro's Storm-Petrel, Common Tern and Bulwer's Petrel.
The Mediterranean monk seal, an endangered species
It has not been listed as endangered since 2015, but it remains an endangered species. There are nearly 700 Mediterranean monk seals (Monachus monachus) in the world, about 40 of which are found in the Madeira archipelago. Victim of anthropic threats, the Desertas Islands, the Ponta de São Lourenço and the islet of Rocha do Navio constitute the last Atlantic refuge of this "sea wolf" with a dark back and light belly. This is how the Portuguese discoverers nicknamed this seal with its funny whiskers that they observed in the bay of Câmara de Lobos or the "wolf's room". This marine mammal is the largest of all monk seals (of which there are three species), and can weigh up to 400 kilos!
Apart from the twenty or so species of cetaceans (sperm whales, whales, dolphins...), we can't forget to tell you about the famous black scabbardfish (peixe-espada) which lives lurking in the depths off Madeira. And for good reason, you will eat it in all kinds of sauces during your trip! But it was not easy with its black glazed eel-like appearance, its sword-like body and its sharp jaw armed with sharp teeth. Of all whale species, the sperm whale, which can reach depths of 3,000 metres, is the champion of diving. As early as the 16th century, whales were fished in Madeira, especially for their blubber and oil, which were used for medical and industrial purposes. The meat was eaten and the bones were turned into manure, amber was prized for its scent and liver oil was prized for its vitamin D content.
