Levadas da Ilha da Madeira. Da epopeia da água ao nicho de turismo ecológico

Abstract

The agricultural terraces and irrigation channels are the most valuable items of Madeira’s cultural heritage and the living expression of how human intervention was possible without causing significant damage to the functioning of the local ecosystems. Through the construction of small terraces of arable soil, and the irrigation of the island, past generations created spectacular humanised landscapes worthy of the admiration and respect of the visitor. The irrigation channels (levadas) reveal a majestic Madeira which remains hidden from the eye of the hurried tourist or the resident over-dependent on the motor car. Walking along the irrigation channels it is possible to discover spots of indescribable beauty, to tread the most idyllic landscapes and to admire the rich flora of Madeira, with plants which are unique in the world. Madeira Island has a huge in pedestrian tourism. The creation of new recommended routes and continuous improvement of those already available are essential to attract visitors who associate the holiday’s leisure to learn and are available for spending money on programs to discover nature. The investment in the maintenance and signaling pathways should be complemented with the monitoring of load capacity, with the aim of ensuring the conservation values of natural and cultural heritage, essential to the sustainability of this tourism niche.