Madeira's Porto Santo has been selected as a biosphere reserve by UNESCO World Network of Biosphere Reserves.
The Reserve was chosen due to its 'central element of UNESCO's research and awareness-raising work to foster innovative sustainable development practices and help safeguard the environment'.
Porto Santo Island is one of 25 new locations to become UNESCO biosphere reserves.
The aim of these reserves is to seek to reconcile human activity with the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity.
The Porto Santo Biosphere Reserve, is located in the archipelago of Madeira and is home to 2,110 species, some exclusive to the island.
Its ecosystems host more than 1,600 taxa with a high level of endemism, including 15 types of flora that are exclusive to Porto Santo.
Many of the island's species are important marine reptiles and mammals including :
Its marine biodiversity is yet to be fully catalogued.
Tourism is the island's most important economic sector, with its population increasing fourfold during the high season.
Useful links
www.visitmadeira.pt/enhttps://en.unesco.org/biosphere