Laurisilva

Macaronesia and the Mediterranean Basin

Laurel forests are found in the islands of Macaronesia in the eastern Atlantic, in particular the Azores, Madeira Islands, and Canary Islands from 400 to 1,200 metres (1,300 to 3,900 ft) elevation. Trees of the genera Apollonias (Lauraceae), Ocotea (Lauraceae), Persea (Lauraceae), Clethra (Clethraceae), Dracaena (Asparagaceae), Picconia (Oleaceae) and Heberdenia (Primulaceae) are characteristic. The Garajonay National Park, on the island of La Gomera and the Laurisilva on Madeira Island were designated World Heritage Sites by UNESCO in 1986 and 1999, respectively. They are considered the best remaining examples of the Atlantic laurel forest, due to their intact nature. The paleobotanical record of the island of Madeira reveals that laurisilva forests have existed on this island for at least 1.8 million years.