FUNCHAL ECOLOGICO PARK IN MADEIRA
This park covers 1,000 hectares and rises to 1800 m above sea level. The lowest section of the park is only 520 m above sea level.
The park was conceived as an educational and conservation resource, but also to provide additional leisure space for the population and for visitors.
Because of the significant variation in altitude and the streams flowing through this park, there is a very varied indigenous flora. Nevertheless a number of non-native species -- notably eucalyptus and acacias – can be seen.
A determined effort is being made to re-establish indigenous vegetation by planting trees and shrubs. Members of the laurel family of trees, including tilia silvestris, plathymenias reticulatas (vinhático), the ironwood, all deserve special attention.
Upper areas of the park are habitats for heather (molar urze) and the mountain vine Uveira da Serra. Between the 1550 and 1600m, the climate suits the Sorbus family. One of Madeira’s most typical trees, Sorbus maderensis, can be found alongside laurels and mountain vines. Here too is a habitat for many birds indigenous to Madeira.
The park plays an important role in ecological education serving as an open-air classroom for students of geomorphology, botany and biology. Classrooms of a more traditional nature welcome young voluntary workers participating in educational activities. A new reception centre is being built where visitors will be offered maps and publications.
The park provides an important leisure space for Funchal’s urban population.
The Poço da Neve (Well of Snow) that was once an ice-larder or store for blocks of ice, is another visitor attraction.
