Conservation of Zino´s Petrel through restoration of its Habitat

The Laurel forest and the Eastern Mountainous Massif of Madeira Island constitute two of the most important terrestrial habitats of Macaronesia. They harbour a high proportion of endemic taxa, amongst which many threatened species can be found.

The objective of this project is to restore the whole ecosystem and provide the conditions to function in optimal climax state. This applies especially to Zino´s Petrel, Pterodroma madeira, a priority bird species that breeds in the area.

At the end of this four-year project the following results are expected:

• Upland vegetation starting to recover;
  
  
• Improvement of the Status of P. madeira population;
  
  
• Emergence of a strong public support for conservation of the area, including optimised visitor use consistent with enhancing its conservation value;
  
  
• Implementation of an effective management of the area.

In order to achieve these results the following actions will be undertaken:

- Upland vegetation starting to recover:

• Acquire Montado to Areeiro;
  
  
• Remove all existing domestic livestock;
  
  
• Maintain the whole project area free of domestic livestock;
  
  
• Ensure rabbits do not hinder vegetation recovery following removal of domestic livestock;
  
  
• Minimise impact of visitors on vegetation recovery;
  
  
• Establish baseline to monitor vegetation response to management actions (including status of key endemic plants species);
  
  
• Establish baseline to monitor the response of different fauna groups (namely birds and insects) to management actions;
  

- Status of P. madeira population improved:

• Minimise effect of rats on P. madeira;
  
  
• Minimise effect of cats on P. madeira;
  
  
• Ensure threats to P. madeira from egg or skin collectors are minimised;
  
  
• Better understanding of dynamics and impact of alien species on upland ecosystem and control methods;
  
  
• Ensure level of knowledge about P. madeira improved to help refine further conservation work on the area;
  
  
• Remove potential impact of Cytisus scoparius from existing and potential P. madeira breeding ledges;
  

- Strong public support for conservation of the area reached:

• Increase public and institutional support for conservation of the area;
  
  
• Implement programm of visitor activities;
  

- Management of the area effectively implemented:

• The increase of wardening in the area;
  
  
• Assess area features;
  
  
• Develop and implement a management plan.