Flores Biosphere Reserve

The Flores Island Biosphere Reserve was classified on 27 May 2007 and includes the entire land territory of the island and an adjacent marine zone, covering a total area of 57,644.10 hectares. It contains a set of landscape, geological, environmental, and cultural values, unique on a regional, national, and international level.

It has areas of international importance as they are a nesting site for important seabird species, many of them listed in Annex I of the Birds Directive of the European Union.

The island´s classification as a Biosphere Reserve strengthened the legitimacy of the actions promoted by Flores Environment and Climate Action Service and projected it internationally, encouraging activities that valorise biodiversity, from tourism to the exportation of local products. It also encourages research projects with an impact on ecosystem management, promoting international cooperation, and valorises local incentives for sustainable development that reward local knowledge and the connection between human activities and biological diversity.