Rocha do Navio Nature Reserve
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LOCATION
The Rocha do Navio Nature Reserve has a total area of 1822 hectares with a total length of 6259 meters including the islets. It is bordered on the west by São Jorge Point and Clérigo Point and between the high tide line and the bathymetric maximum of 100 meters.
General Characterization
At the Reserve station, activities are developed which support environmental education with students being the target audience.
The site includes a great diversity of natural habitats, especially the cliffs with endemic flora typical of the Macaronesian coasts, lower formations of Euphorbia close to cliffs and sea caves submerged or partially submerged. The Widow Islet has a maximum altitude of 94 meters and a planned area of approximately 1.4 hectares, and is very close to the shore, being left isolated only during the high tide of the sea. The lower areas of the Reserve are rocky in nature, where algae abound typical of waters with great hydrodynamics.
FLORA
The Widow Islet has the natural characteristic of Madeira’s floristic heritage, revealing various species of plants unique to the archipelago of Madeira.
FAUNA
From the ornithological point of view, the site of the Widow Islet is an excellent place for nesting of some species of pelagic birds. The seabed of the Reserve is populated by a marine fauna typical of the ocean and common to all European and Mediterraean coastal areas. The tidal zone has snails and limpets.
LEGAL STATUS
Nature Reserve, created by the Regional Legislative Decree No. 11/97/M, of June 30th, JORAM published in No. 82, Series – Supplement 2.
This is a resumed translation of the Portuguese version. For further information, please contact the Reserve Coordination.
