Azores Biodiversity

The Azores consist of 9 small islands made from volcano eruptions, located in the Atlantic Ocean. It takes about 2 hours to fly from Lisbon to the Azores. The total area is about  2.333 km2. There are great variation in the size of the islands. São Miguel is the biggest with 747 km2. Corvo  is the smallest with only 17 km2.

The Portuguese post office (CTT) has issued a new collection of stamps dedicated to the ponds of the Azores on April 22, 2009. The issue is a joint effort between CTT and the Institute of the Conservation of the Nature which celebrates the diversity of life in the region and ongoing efforts to protect habitats.

The four stamps show images of ponds with birds, fishes or trees. The 32 centimos stamp represents Comprida Lake, in Flores Island with a Scolopax rusticola, a very common bird that can be found across Asia and Europe, hence why it's known as Eurasian Woodcock.

The 68 centimos stamp  represent Lake of Caldeirão in Corvo Island with  the beautiful butterfly, a Hipparchia azorina that is endemic to Azores and is currently threatened.

The 80 centimos stamp represent  Lake of Capitão in Pico with  the Dragonfly , a Anax imperator, an amazing blue variety.

The 2 euros stamp represent Lagoinha in Terceira with the fruit is taken from a tree endemic to Azores, the Juniperus brevifolia. , a Cedar tree. Meanwhile the one of two souvenir sheet were issued depicted  underwater water creature like fish, shell, and octopus. Other sheet depicted  three species of ducts .

Azores’s marine Invertebrate -2010

The Portuguese archipelago of the Azores, isolated in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean and more than 1300 km from the nearest continent, is formed by the nine immersed tops of an underwater mountain range. On July 01, 2010, Portugal Post (Azores) issued the stamp set  to  recall special attention to the necessary ecological alarm against mankind’s aggressions to the planet’s frail balance.

Portuguese stamps displaying regional themes from the Azores. This is the case with the stamps that over the years have been devoted to the flora and fauna of the Azores, and with this issue as well, which focuses on the archipelago’s marine invertebrates. In the large group formed by animals without backbone, marine species usually stand out to the layman because of their shapes and colors that never cease to amaze us.

Grapsus adscenionis

Grapsus adscenionis is found   in Ascension Island, Azores Exclusive Economic Zone , East Atlantic . Despite the low commercial interest as food for human consumption, this species is becoming popular in aquaculture. Therefore,general biology and specific reproduction related information of the species will support a sustainable use of this fishery resource to avoid overexploitation.

Madeira Botanical Garden

 

Portugal Post  released the stamp series feature the Madeira Botanical Garden on April 30th, 2010 .  The issued stamp consist of one set of four single stamp and two souvenir sheet. All stamps depicted the view of beautiful Madeira Botanical Garden.

The Madeira Botanical Garden is a scientific institution devoted to the study and conservation of the exceptionally rich flora and vegetation of the archipelagos of Madeira and Selvagens, but it is also a pleasant place to enjoy and get to know the diversity of the plant kingdom.

  -
 

The Botanical Garden, founded on April 30, 1960 by agronomist Rui Vieira, belongs to the Regional Government of Madeira; it covers an area of approximately 8 hectares and has an average of 330 000 visitors annually. It is located in Funchal, on the Quinta do Bom Sucesso or Quinta Reid, which dates back to the middle of the 19th century.

In this scientific institution are implemented systematic studies on vascular and avascular plants, molecular biology, reproductive biology, and conservation biology and vegetation ecology. The research is fundamental to know the diversity of the flora and vegetation of Madeira, in order to establish strategies for the conservation of the species and the vegetal communities.

The occupation of the islands of the archipelagos of Madeira and Selvagens by Man, with the introduction of animals and plants, caused the destruction or changes to many natural habitats. As a consequence, some plant species are presently threatened with extinction or are restricted to slopes and other rather inaccessible places. The Botanical Garden of Madeira plays an active role in this regard, through inventorying and monitoring actions of these species.

In the Seed Bank of the Botanical Garden of Madeira, created in 1994, are stored the seeds of the most endemic species of the archipelagos of Madeira and Selvagens and of other native species. The collection of seed is sometimes extremely difficult since many of the populations appear in almost inaccessible places.

Other actions developed by the Botanical Garden of Madeira are the propagation of indigenous species, especially rare endemism's threatened with extinction. Most of the species are propagated by seeding, in nurseries and greenhouses, but in some cases it is necessary to resort to stalk cuttings and in vitro culture. At a later stage actions are carried out to reintroduce and reinforce the populations in the nature, especially species with a reduced population.

 

Besides being a centre for research and conservation of the flora of Madeira, the Botanical Garden is also an educational activity centre. The institution carries out several divulgation and awareness raising actions concerning the flora and vegetation of Madeira and the need for their conservation. The activities are mainly aimed at students from the different educational levels and include guided visits to the Garden or field trips, actions involving planting native species in the nature, eradicating invading plants in the natural habitats, among other.

The Botanical Garden is also an adequate place for hosting various cultural activities, such as concerts, dance, theatre and painting. (Resources : Portugal Post info)

Technorati Tags: Portugal stamp,Madeira botanical garden