The Manx Shearwater (Puffinus puffinus canariensis), a medium-sized seabird, breeds in the forested regions of Macaronesia, including the Canary Islands, Madeira and the Azores on coastal cliffs. This species faces significant threats from habitat loss and predation. The Manx Shearwater Conservation Project is a comprehensive initiative designed to safeguard these birds in Macaronesia.
Objectives:
- Identify Breeding Areas: Locate nests to understand threats and habitat requirements;
- Monitoring identified nests: Acquisition of knowledge about the species' ecology during the region's breeding season;
- Mitigate Terrestrial Predators: Reduce the impact of terrestrial predators, particularly rats, to support population recovery and sustainability;
- Public Awareness: Raise awareness among the general public and foster a shared responsibility for conserving the Manx Shearwater.
In Madeira, our efforts will be directed towards the Funchal Ecological Park, where a colony of Manx Shearwaters has been identified. This park is an important site for conserving these seabirds, as it is the only place in Madeira where conservation actions have been implemented since 1995. Additionally, we will focus on the adjacent valleys of Ribeira de João Gomes and São João. These areas, along with the Santa Luzia Valley within the ecological park, are the largest valleys in the city of Funchal. They connect the mountainous regions and deep valleys with the city, serving as crucial corridors and habitats for various species. Historical records indicate that these species have also been present in these areas in the past, highlighting their ecological significance. Moreover, these valleys are where remnants of native vegetation still persist, underscoring their importance for biodiversity conservation.
Project Designation: | MAC Puffinus LIFE2030: Conservation of the Manx Shearwater in Macaronesia | |
Program: | BESTLIFE2030 Programme | |
Start Date: | 01/10/2024 | |
End Date: | 30/09/2026 | |
Total Budget: | 105 152,07 € | |
Funding: | 99 894,46 € | |
ARDITI Budget: | 37 131,78 € | |
ARDITI Funding: | 35 275,19 € | |
Partners: | ARDITI - Agência Regional para o Desenvolvimento da Investigação, Tecnologia e Inovação (Madeira - Portugal); Seabird Ecology Lab - Universitat de Barcelona (Barcelona – Espanha). | |
This project has received funding from the European Union's BESTLIFE2030 programme under Grant Agreement no. 2024A76 Co-funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or CINEA. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them. |
This project is aligned with the following Sustainable Development Goal (SDG):