The knowledge of the term diversity and the issues facing biodiversity are related to the

ideas of threats to cultural diversity. The issues of biodiversity are related to the threats of
cultural diversity because if the differences in religion, language, way of living vanish in a
country that biodiversity dies and so does the cultural diversity. I do think that governing bodies
should be involved to protect cultural diversity. I think that there should be steps taken to
preserving land for different groups of people and have it reserved to them and they would be
able to do with it what they please. There should be ways to educate the public on different
languages, religions, and groups of indigenous people. This would keep their life, culture, and
heritage alive for generations to come.
Portugal is rich in biodiversity. The country has a very diverse natural heritage thanks to
the location of the country. The Azores and Madeira Archipelagos are situated within the
Macaronesian region. These people noticed the climatic influences of Portugal. They noticed that
there were unique natural environments that were very important to the country. On the mainland
in Portugal there are dune habitats, rocky cliffs, marshes, and lagoon systems. Portugals
mainland is 20.47% protected areas and then in the Azores and Madeira regions another 76.758&
are natural sites of community importance that are also protected. 36.5% of Portugals forest is
protected. Some of the major threats to Portugals biodiversity are alteration or destruction of
habitats, pollution, overexploitation, invasive species, urbanization, and fires.
Portugal created the National Biodiversity Strategy Action Plan (NBSAP) which is based
on ten principles. The ten principles are: an overall higher level of protection, the sustainable use
of biological resources, prevention, precaution, recuperation, responsibility, integration
participation, international cooperation, and decentralization. The NBSAP also lists out ten
fundamental strategies that for their action plan. This are: to promote scientific research and
knowledge of local patrimony, to enhance the national protected areas network, to promote the
valorization of protected areas within the Nature 2000 Network, implement, across the entire
national territory, actions specific to the conservation and management of species and habitats of
particular interest, integrate conservation and sustainable use principles into national and
regional policies and laws, reinforce cooperation between all levels of administration, promote
education and formation in conservation feels, ensure public education, awareness, and
strengthen international cooperation. Portugal creates strategies that would ensure that the
government was taking a stand and doing as much for the biodiversity for their country that they
could do. The NBSAP is a very solid and good way at trying to prevent to loose the biodiversity
and cultural diversity within Portugal.
Portugal is home to many of the species that are threatened on a world wide and
European level. These species have received conservation attention throughout the NBSAP but
there are some species that require more to improve their status on the endangered list. Portugal
which is a member of the EU Member state has committed to halting biodiversity loss by 2020
but to do so there needs to be urgent action taken. Habitat los, fragmentation, and degradation are
the most significant threats to these species. Other major threats come from farming and
ranching, agricultural expansion, tourism, and urbanization. Portugal has about 35,000 species of
animals and plants. 22% of the species on the European Red List are present in Portugal.
Portugal is home to 37% of all mammals that are in Europe. Of these 86 species 19% of them are
endangered. They are highly threatened because hunting, trapping, logging, and wood
harvesting. 21% of all the reptiles in Europe are in Portugal. 14% of these reptiles are
endangered because of habitat loss, degradation, management of natural ecosystems, and

agricultural intensification. A total of 591 plants are found within Portugal and 15% of these are
endangered due to habitat loss, agriculture, pasture, and grazing. Fishing and maritime is the
biggest export in Portugal. 39% of the fish that can be found in Europe are located in Portugal.
Out of this percentage 40% are endangered. In order to meet their goals by 2020 Portugal needs
to work together with the rest of EU to help guide policies and conversation strategies.
Websites Used:
https://cmsdata.iucn.org/downloads/portugal_s_biodiversity_at_risk_fact_sheet_may_2013.pdf
http://biodiversity.europa.eu/countries/portugal