Laurisilva of Madeira

Laurisilva of Madeira
UNESCO World Heritage Site
Prehistoric Laurisilva forest in Madeira
LocationIsland of Madeira, Madeira, Portugal
CriteriaNatural: (ix)(x)
Reference934
Inscription1999 (23rd Session)
Area15,000 ha (58 sq mi)
Coordinates32°46′N 17°0′W / 32.767°N 17.000°W / 32.767; -17.000
Laurisilva of Madeira is located in Madeira
Laurisilva of Madeira
Location of Laurisilva of Madeira
Laurisilva of Madeira is located in Africa
Laurisilva of Madeira
Laurisilva of Madeira (Africa)

The Laurisilva of Madeira (Portuguese: Floresta Laurissilva da Madeira) is a natural place declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1999.[1] It is considered a very valuable relic, due to its size and quality, of the laurisilva, a type of laurel forest that was very abundant in the past and is practically extinct today. It is believed to be 90% primordial forest. The paleobotanical record of the island of Madeira reveals that the laurel forest existed on this island at least 1.8 million years ago.[2]

UNESCO justified the inclusion of this place within the world heritage precisely because it is the largest remaining laurel forest, in the past spread throughout Europe while today is practically extinct. In addition, this type of forest is considered a center of plant biodiversity and contains numerous endemic, residual and rare species, especially bryophytes, ferns and flowering plants. It also has a very rich invertebrate fauna, appearing among the endemic species of the island, the Madeira laurel pigeon.[3]

  • Laurisilva of Madeira
    Laurisilva of Madeira
  • Old passage in the laurel forest
    Old passage in the laurel forest
  • Foggy Fanal forest in Seixal
    Foggy Fanal forest in Seixal

References

  1. ^ "Laurisilva of Madeira". unesco.org. UNESCO Culture Sector. Retrieved 21 March 2022.
  2. ^ Carlos A. Góis-Marques (7 February 2017). "Inventory and review of the Mio–Pleistocene São Jorge flora (Madeira Island, Portugal): palaeoecological and biogeographical implications". Journal of Systematic Palaeontology. 16 (2): 159–177. doi:10.1080/14772019.2017.1282991. hdl:10400.13/4191. S2CID 132935444. Retrieved 21 March 2022.
  3. ^ "Laurisilva of Madeira". unesco.org. UNESCO Culture Sector. Retrieved 21 March 2022.