Laurisilva of Madeira

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The Laurisilva of Madeira: A Unique Ecosystem of Endemic Biodiversity

The Laurisilva of Madeira, inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1999, represents one of the most significant examples of an ancient and rare ecosystem: the laurel forest (Laurisilva). This unique ecosystem, that was once widespread in Europe, survives now exclusively across Macaronesia, which includes the archipelago of Madeira, the Azores, and the Canary Islands in the North Atlantic Ocean.

Madeira’s laurel forest is an exceptional remnant of a once widespread laurel forest type that has been largely destroyed by human activities over centuries. Covering approximately 15,000 hectares, it is the largest surviving area of Laurisilva and is believed to be 90 percent primary forest. This means that the majority of the trees in this forest have not been influenced by human activities.

The Laurisilva of Madeira is characterized by its dense vegetation dominated by laurel trees (Laurus novocanariensis), which can reach heights of up to 20 meters. Other characteristic tree species include Ocotea foetens, Persea indica, and Apollonias barbujana. These trees form a complex canopy that supports a rich understory of ferns, mosses, and epiphytic plants.

This ancient forest is home to a unique suite of plant and animal species, many of which are endemic to the region. Some notable endemic fauna include the Trocaz pigeon (Columba trocaz) and the Madeiran firecrest (Regulus madeirensis). The forest also provides habitat for several bat species, including the Madeira pipistrelle (Pipistrellus maderensis), a Macaronesian endemic, and a subspecies of lesser noctule (Nyctalus leisleri verrucosus).

The Laurisilva of Madeira is also of great scientific interest due to its high levels of endemism and the evolutionary processes that have shaped its biodiversity. The island's isolation and unique geology have contributed to the development of distinct species and ecological communities.

In addition to its biological value, the unique Macaronesian forest plays a crucial role in maintaining the islands' water cycle. The dense vegetation captures rainfall and releases it slowly into the groundwater, ensuring a reliable water supply for the local population.

The conservation of the Laurisilva of Madeira is of utmost importance due to the fragility of this ecosystem and the threats it faces from invasive species, climate change, and human activities. Efforts to protect and restore the laurisilva include the creation of protected areas, the implementation of sustainable land management practices, and ongoing research to better understand and conserve this unique World Heritage Site.

To sum it up, the Laurisilva of Madeira is a remarkable example of an ancient and rare ecosystem that harbors a wealth of endemic biodiversity. Its conservation is essential for maintaining the health and resilience of this unique ecosystem, as well as preserving the cultural and scientific heritage of the Madeira Islands.

UNESCO Description of the World Heritage Site

The Laurisilva of Madeira is an outstanding relict of a previously widespread laurel forest type. It is the largest surviving area of laurel forest and is believed to be 90% primary forest. It contains a unique suite of plants and animals, including many endemic species such as the Madeiran long-toed pigeon.

UNESCO Justification of the World Heritage Site

Criterion (ix): The Laurisilva of Madeira is an outstanding relict of a previously widespread laurel forest type, which covered much of Southern Europe 15-40 million years ago. The forest of the property completely covers a series of very steep, V-shaped valleys leading from the plateau and east-west ridge in the centre of the island to the north coast. The forests of the property and their associated biological and ecological process are largely undisturbed, and play a predominant role in the island´s hydrological balance. The forest is mainly comprised of evergreen trees and bushes, with flat, dark green leaves. The property provides a wealth of ecological niches, complex food webs and examples of co-evolution of species. A range of climax vegetation communities such as the Til Laurisilva, the Barbusano Laurisilva and the Vinhático Laurisilva, have been identified within the property. Ancient trees in the valley bottoms, waterfalls and cliffs add to the experience of the values of the property.

Criterion (x): The Laurisilva of Madeira is a place of importance for its biological diversity. A large proportion of its plants and animals are unique to the laurel forest, and it is larger than and with significant differences to other laurel forest areas. Endemic trees belonging to the Lauraceae family such as the Barbusano Apollonias barbujana ssp. Barbujana, the Laurel Laurus novocanariensis, the Til Ocotea foetens and the Vinhático Persea indica are dominant. Other endemic plants include plants such as Pride of Madeira Echium candicans, Honey Spurge Euphorbia mellifera, Madeira Foxglove Isoplexis spectrum and Musschia wollastonii. Ferns abound in the shadowy valleys and bryophytes cover large areas of the soil, banks, rocks and tree trunks. Around 13 liverwort species and 20 moss species are noted as threatened at a European scale, while abundant lichens are indicative of high environmental quality and the absence of pollution. Vertebrate species include a limited number of species with high endemism, including two rare species of bats, the Madeira Pipistrelle Pipistrellus maderensis and the Leisler's Bat Nyctalus leisleri verrucosus and several birds, such as the Madeira Laurel Pigeon Columba trocaz, the Madeiran Firecrest Regulus madeirensis and the Madeiran Chaffinch Fingilla coelebs madeirensis. In the Laurisilva there are more than 500 endemic species of invertebrates, including insects, arachnids and mollusks.

Encyclopedia Record: Madeira evergreen forests

The Madeira evergreen forests is a laurissilva ecoregion of southwestern Europe. It covers the archipelago of Madeira and some nearby islands in the Atlantic Ocean. Laurel forest (Laurisilva) once covered the islands. Over centuries the laurel forests were mostly cleared. Madeira's remaining forests are now protected.

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IUCN World Heritage Outlook

The 2025 Conservation Outlook on Laurisilva of Madeira reports the following assessment:

Source: International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) · View assessment