Selvagens Island Reserve

Selvagens Islands, a Portuguese territory, are located south-south-east of Madeira Island, are of volcanic origin and consist of two islands: the Grande Selvagens, where the main reference station for the protected area is located and Selvagens Pequena.

These islands are the first protected areas in the autonomous region of Madeira and also the first to be classified as a protected area at the national level in 1971.

Grande Selvagem (245 hectares) has a pentagonal shape and is characterized by a vast plateau, which falls sharply to the sea in the steep weathered volcanic rocks.

Grande Selvagen

This plateau rises to a height of about 100 meters. The highest points are Pico da Atalaya (163 meters) and Pico dos Tornozelos (137 meters).

Selvagem Pequena (20 hectares) has an irregular shape, low and flat profile, almost entirely covered with limestone sand, which includes sand of marine origin detected in eroded basins. 

Selvagen Pequena

The island reaches a maximum height of 49 meters at Pico do Veado, where the Lighthouse is located. 

Fora Island (8 hectares) is also covered with limestone sand and reaches a maximum height of 18 meters in Pitao Pequeno.

Selvagen Pequena with the island of Fora in the background

The Selvagens Islands Reserve is limited to a 200-meter bathymetry and includes the entire land area of the Grande and Pequena Selvagens Islands, as well as a number of adjacent islets, the main one being Fora, and the entire adjacent marine area.

The Reserve is part of the Natura 2000 network as a Special Area of Conservation (ZEC). The Reserve is part of the Macaronesian Biogeographic Region.

The reserve is bounded by the following geographical coordinates: 30º15'35,478. '' N 16º05'54.32''W; 30º15'46,874''N 15º40'14,53''W; 29º59'22,994''N 15º40'07.40''W; 29º59'13.008''N 16º05'42.40''W. 

Reserve boundaries

Habitats of greatest interest in the Selvagens Islands:
- Sandbanks permanently covered by shallow sea water;
- Mudflats and sands opened at low tide;
- Shallow coves and bays;
- Rocks with flora endemic to the Macaronesian coasts;

You don't need to read any further, just watch the film "Untouched Seas".

FAUNA

Earth Species

It is estimated that the total number of terrestrial invertebrate species and subspecies in the Selvagen Islands is about 219, with arthropods being the most abundant (92%). The archipelago of the Selvagens Islands is undoubtedly the most important point of diversity of endemic terrestrial arthropod species.

There are 10 terrestrial vertebrate species on the islands, of which only 2 terrestrial reptiles Tarentola bischoffi and Teira dugesii Selvagemis are exclusive to the Selvagene Islands . The terrestrial vertebrate fauna is characterized by the absence of native mammals.

On Selvagens Island nests a terrestrial parasitic form, Anthus bertheloti bertheloti , endemic to Makaronesia. Many other birds visit wild islands occasionally or randomly, especially in autumn and spring.

After the successful eradication of rabbits and mice in Selvagem Grande, the Selvagen Islands became the only archipelago without mammals in Macaronesia (and in the North Atlantic). Limiting the terrestrial vertebrate fauna to its original composition of birds and reptiles allowed a scientific study of the type of island ecosystem that was most prevalent in the world before the invention of marine navigation by humans. As ecological continuity is continuing and the island is returning to its pristine state, this research (in progress) will be very useful in describing the baseline of island communities compared to islands whose ecosystems have been severely damaged by mammal invasion.

Marine Species

The marine biodiversity database includes about 15,000 records, of which at least 100 are new to the area. About 20 species are new to science, not yet described. Preliminary results of these surveys confirm the presence of very diverse intact communities, that are representative of Macaronesian marine habitats.

In 2000, the first catalog of the coastal fishes of the Selvagen Islands was presented. It's containing a total of 60 species.

There are seven species of sea turtles worldwide. Of these, five species are found in Madeira. After hatching their eggs, the young turtles head out to the open sea, staying away from the coast for the first 6-9 years of their lives. With the importance of Madeira during this vital stage, called the pelagic or oceanic juvenile phase, the Selvagens Islands also contribute to the conservation of the species.

The wild islands are one of the most important breeding areas for seabirds in the Macaronesian and North Atlantic.

A total of 9 cetacean species have been recorded in the Selvagene Islands waters area, some of which have a worldwide conservation status of Vulnerable or Endangered according to the IUCN list of endangered species.

The Wild Islands are one of the most important seabird breeding areas in the Macaronesian and North Atlantic and are classified as an Important Bird and Biodiversity Area (IBA) according to BirdLife International. The nesting sea avifauna of these islands consists of 8 species.

FLORA

Earth Species

The terrestrial flora is of particular interest because the Selvagens Islands are representatives of well-preserved Macaronesian communities and are in pristine condition.

The bryoflora of the islands has a great affinity to species, that are typical of semi-desert environments. It includes 16 taxa , whose diversity is dominated by mosses and mostly species adapted to stressful conditions.

Marine Species

The marine flora of the Selvagens Islands is rich and diverse, similar in its characteristics to the neighboring archipelagos. The seabed is very uneven, with caves, predominantly rocky substrates with photophyllum algae. Including macroalgae species lists in various surveys developed in this habitat, a total of 203 species of algae have been recorded, including 39 Chlorophycota, 42 Chromophycota, and 122 Rhodophycota. Red algae are predominant.

How to visit the reserve

Thousands of people have visit to the reserve every year. These are private yachts, maritime tourist boats, as well as ships of the Portuguese Navy and the Institute for the Conservation of Forests and Nature.

To visit, request authorization through the online services portal.

For any other activities not provided for in this portal, such as research, collection of images for commercial and promotional purposes, etc., fill out the Form and send your request to the Forestry and Nature Conservation Institute.

Contact the Forestry and Conservation Institute to landfall crew and passengers of vessels. Refer to the program of environmental education activities.