Biodiversity of Portugal

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Biodiversity of Portugal: a short, easy-to-understand overview

Portugal sits in the Mediterranean Basin, one of the world’s most diverse hotspots for plants. Its location between the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea, plus varied geography and climates, helps explain why Portugal has a lot of life both on land and in the sea.

Key habitats and forests
- Portugal has six major land ecoregions: Azores temperate mixed forests, Cantabrian mixed forests, Madeira evergreen forests, Iberian sclerophyllous and semi-deciduous forests, Northwest Iberian montane forests, and Southwest Iberian Mediterranean forests. A large portion of land is protected through Natura 2000 networks and other reserves.
- Continental Portugal’s forests are largely made up of non-native eucalyptus plantations, cork oak and maritime pine, which together cover about 71% of forested areas. Holm oak, stone pine, other oaks and sweet chestnut are also important species.
- Madeira is known for laurisilva, a lush laurel forest that is a World Heritage Site. Native species include Laurus novocanariensis, Apollonias barbujana, Ocotea foetens and Persea indica. In the Azores, there used to be dense laurisilva forests as well, but they have been damaged by invasive plants like Pittosporum undulatum and Cryptomeria japonica. There are efforts to restore laurisilva in the Azores. Remnants of laurisilva exist in continental Portugal too, where trees such as Laurus nobilis, Prunus lusitanica, Arbutus unedo, Myrica faya and Rhododendron ponticum remain.

Exotic species and forest health
- A significant share of Portugal’s species are non-native: about 20% on the mainland, around 36% in Madeira, and roughly 70% in the Azores. This has contributed to stresses on native habitats and to lower overall forest integrity in some areas.

Biodiversity and threats
- Portugal is home to a large number of threatened species. It ranks among the European countries with the most threatened animals and plants (about 488 species as of 2020).
- The country is also an important stopover and wintering area for migratory birds. The southern Algarve’s marshes (including Ria Formosa and Castro Marim) and the Lisbon region’s estuaries (Tagus and Sado) host many aquatic birds. Eagles and vultures, such as Bonelli’s eagle and Egyptian vulture, are found in different regions, and seabird colonies exist on the Savage Islands and Berlenga. Madeira and São Miguel also support diverse bird life, including endemics like the trocaz pigeon and the Azores bullfinch. Continental Portugal supports around 450 bird species, including some that are endemic and others that are introduced.
- Portugal’s large mammals once ranged widely but were driven down by hunting and habitat loss. Today, populations are slowly recovering. Common mammals include fallow deer, red deer, roe deer, Iberian ibex, wild boar, red fox, Iberian wolf and Iberian lynx. The Portuguese ibex disappeared for a time but is making a comeback. Smaller mammals include red squirrel, European badger, Eurasian otter, Egyptian mongoose, Granada hare, European rabbit, common genet and European wildcat.
- The Azores, Madeira and Salvages (islands in Macaronesia) host many endemic species that evolved in isolation from other regions.

Marine life and the coast
- Portugal’s western coast sits above four major upwelling systems. Each summer the upwelling brings nutrient-rich water to the surface, fueling the growth of phytoplankton and zooplankton and supporting a rich food chain that includes many pelagic fish and other marine life.
- Portugal’s large exclusive economic zone (EEZ) helps make it one of the world’s top per-capita fish consumers. Common catches include sardines and horse mackerel; other species such as blue whiting, monkfish, cod and various cephalopods are also important. The country’s coastal ecosystems also support kelp forests, which are valuable for marine life.

Freshwater biodiversity
- About 73% of the Iberian Peninsula’s freshwater fish species are endemic, the largest share in Europe. Many of these endemic species live in central western Portugal and are in danger due to drought and seasonal water shortages.

Whales, whales, and whale-watching
- The Azores are a prime place for cetaceans, with many species passing through or living there. Whaling in the past reduced some populations, but since the 1990s whale-watching has grown into a major local activity and a key part of the economy.

Protected areas and conservation
- Portugal protects areas such as Serras de Aire e Candeeiros Natural Park (noted for bats and orchids), Southwest Alentejo and Vicentine Coast Natural Park (raw, wild coastline) and Montesinho Natural Park (home to Iberian wolves and recent sightings of Iberian brown bears). These and other protected areas help conserve the country’s diverse habitats and species.

What this means
Portugal has rich biodiversity across land and sea, with unique island life on Madeira and the Azores. Yet it faces challenges from invasive species and habitat changes. Ongoing conservation, habitat protection and restoration efforts are essential to safeguard Portugal’s wildlife for the future.