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Serra de Água de Pau
Protected Area for the Management of Habitats or Species
In the northwest flank of the Serra, is well marked the Ribeira Grande Graben, a volcanic massif in northwest-southeast general direction steps. From the fractures associated with this structure originated phenomena of secondary volcanism, such as fumaroles and thermal springs (as the example of Caldeira Velha). The highest point of this volcanic massif is the Pico da Barrosa, 949 metres high, located west of the caldera.
In the northwest flank of the Serra, is well marked the Ribeira Grande Graben, a volcanic massif in northwest-southeast general direction steps. From the fractures associated with this structure originated phenomena of secondary volcanism, as fumaroles and thermal springs (as the example of Caldeira Velha). The highest point of this volcanic massif is the Pico da Barrosa, with 949 metres high, located west of the caldera.
East of the Lagoa do Fogo, on the slopes of Monte Escuro, it rises the Ribeira Grande and numerous affluents of the most torrential watercourse of the island. Historically, this flow was used to move the grinding wheels of water mills that were in the urban area and adopted the name of the stream itself, and is currently used for hydroelectric power generation and captured for water supply.
East of the Lagoa do Fogo, on the slopes of Monte Escuro, rises the Ribeira Grande and numerous affluents of the most torrential watercourse of the island. Historically, this flow was used to move the grinding wheels of water mills in the urban area that adopted the name of the stream itself and is currently used for hydroelectric power generation and captured for water supply.
In the Serra Água de Pau, humidity and altitude cause the formation of clouds and fogs that regularly change the visibility and brightness. This climate provides habitats for some native and endemic flora species such as Azorean Heather (Erica azorica), Azorean Mountain Fescue (Festuca francoi), Firetree (Morella faya), Scotch Heather (Calluna vulgaris), Azorean Ivy (Hedera azorica), Azorean Holly (Ilex Azorica), Azorean Laurel (Laurus azorica), Azorean Viburnum (Viburnum treleasei), Azorean Blueberry (Vaccinium cylindraceum), European Chain Fern (Woodwardia radicans), African Boxwood (Myrsine retusa), Sphagnum spp., Juncus spp., Hard Fern (Blechnum spicant), Royal Fern (Osmunda regalis) and Azorean Daisy (Bellis azorica).
Regarding the birds, the highlights are endemic subspecies such as the Common Buzzard (Buteo buteo rothschildi, Azores Blackbird (Turdus merula azorensis), Azores Grey Wagtail (Motacilla cinerea patriciae) and a significant colony of Yellow-legged Gull (Larus michahellis atlantis).
This protected area includes defined objectives and boundaries for the Lagoa do Fogo Special Area of Conservation (SAC) within the Natura 2000 network.