Two years after the classification of Flores Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO, it has been noticed that this distinction has increased the endogenous recognition and the value for those visiting the island in addition to boosting economic benefits.

The information was collected by the Regional Secretariat for the Environment and the Sea, through the Regional Directorate for Environment, based on evidence, data and actions developed on the island since then.

 The award has also brought a stimulus to a responsible management of different ecosystems, evidencing its interest and the advantageous opportunities.

For the island of Flores, the Biosphere Reserve award represents the acknowledgement of the importance of its ecosystems, being also a stimulus to boost the economic value of its unique landscape.

Among these ecosystems, special emphasis is put on the largest peat bog area in the North Atlantic, which plays a key role in the hydrological balance of the island. The largest Azores Juniper (Juniperus brevifolia) forest of the Azores is located in these peat bogs.

The almost permanent availability of water, supplied by peat bogs, associated with the rugged terrain and high cliffs, has created a landscape outline of great beauty and magnificence, which is highlighted by many waterfalls on the west coast.

Moreover, this same water is also used for power generation, which significantly reduces the local environmental footprint and effectively contributes to the reduction of global pollution.

The nesting areas for seabird species are equally relevant at an international level, many of which are included in Annex I of EU Birds Directive, as well as the “Rocha dos Bordões,” with its unusual prismatic structure of large dimensions, has become a landscape symbol of the island and the archipelago, being recently classified as Natural Monument.

The Boqueirão Environmental Interpretation Centre, in operation since 2009, is a privileged tool for the promotion and dissemination of the Flores Biosphere Reserve. At this space, through an appealing device for environmental promotion, information is provided on the island’s most important ecosystems, including references to their vulnerabilities.

The creation of the Flores Natural Park, implemented by the Regional Legislative Decree no.8/2011/A of March 23, ensures legal status of protection by stipulating limits on the use of some areas and by implementing management measures in accordance with protection figures.

 This statute will also promote the preservation and renewal of ecosystems, habitats and species and the balance between humans, the landscape and the sustainable use of natural resources.

In this context, the Government has implemented measures to control invasive plants in the sensitive areas of the Biosphere Reserve, particularly in the central area, and is currently removing invasive plants in the Natural Reserve of Morro Alto.
 
The Government of the Azores, through the Regional Secretariat for the Environment and the Sea, published the ordinance no. 27/2011 on 28 April which stipulates the conditions for the use of the “Azores Biosphere” brand and logo.
Hence, this “brand” may contribute to enhancing the attractiveness of the product “nature tourism” as well as of the Azores destination, promoting and disseminating, either locally or abroad, local resources, products, goods and services, including agro-food products, handicrafts, and tourism promotion in order ensure the sustainable development of local populations.

With the purpose of promoting and disseminating the Biosphere Reserve, several items have been created. In this context, two brochures are at a final stage of production as well as a book and a film about the Reserve. In addition, several welcome messages to Biosphere Reserve have been displayed on the regional airline planes and the school contest “Recursos Naturais para a sustentabilidade” (Natural Resources for sustainability) has already been launched under the theme “Biosphere Reserves.”

In order to improve the quality of life of local people and visitors as well as environmental quality, the Government has also promoted the design and construction of Waste Processing Centres on the Biosphere Reserve islands. Each of these infrastructures will enable the local recovery of green and organic waste and the export of recyclables to the recycling industry. The remaining waste will be transferred to technological energy recovery units on other islands.

As for environmental liabilities, in addition to the cleanup actions already carried out by the Government in the past, permanent closure of two waste disposal sites on Flores has already been planned and in the context of the “ECO freguesia” (ECO village) initiative, five Village Councils and the respective population have cooperated in the voluntary cleanup actions, thus being distinguished with this award.

Further details are available on the SIARAM Portal on the Internet (http://siaram.azores.gov.pt/ in the area dedicated to Biosphere Reserves) as well as a set of information related to the Flores Biosphere Reserve.

One should recall the existence of a proposed decree, currently under analysis at the Regional Legislative Assembly, which, if approved, will establish the Legal Scheme on Biodiversity and Nature Conservation in the Azores. This scheme also comprises a section on Biosphere Reserves that legally defines its goals, action plan and the management bodies.

The classification of Flores Island as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve is a unique tool for the promotion and dissemination of Flores as a place of excellence, associated to quality products, obtained in a sustainable manner, with return of capital gains for the island.

On the part of the Azorean Government, there is a real commitment and effort to take advantage of all this new potential.