July 19, 2025, 5:39 am | Read time: 5 minutes
Even a seasoned geography expert might struggle with this question–or would you have known what the Macaronesian Islands are and where they are located? TRAVELBOOK author Robin Hartmann spoke with a scientist about the topic and discovered many surprising facts.
The happy, the blessed islands–that’s exactly what makários nḗsos, the Greek name for Macaronesia, also known as the Macaronesian Islands, means. And no, they are not a fantasy product of an ancient poet or philosopher. Instead, they are a real designation for a region that stretches across the eastern central Atlantic. But would you know what the Macaronesian Islands are and where they are located? Before his research, TRAVELBOOK author Robin Hartmann was completely clueless but immediately fascinated by the melodious name.
The search for an expert on this topic quickly led to several names of scientists who deal with the subject of biogeography. This is a specialty that combines both parts of its name, biology and geography. Indeed, the Macaronesian Islands are a region defined by sometimes astonishing connections in this area. Christophe Neff, an academic advisor at the Institute of Technology in Karlsruhe and a trained geographer, was kind enough to explain the phenomenon of Macaronesia in detail.
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TRAVELBOOK: Good day, Mr. Neff, thank you for your time and expertise. So, what exactly are the Macaronesian Islands?
Neff: This term refers to a biogeographical region that includes the Azores, Canary Islands, Madeira, and the Cape Verde Islands. Depending on the interpretation, a few uninhabited islands belonging to Portugal are also included. They share the collective name Macaronesian Islands because they have biogeographical similarities. They are all of volcanic origin, and the flora is very similar in many places. This consists largely of endemic species, meaning species that occur only in Macaronesia. Examples include the dragon tree or the Atlantic palm.
TRAVELBOOK: And how can these astonishing similarities be explained? After all, the different island groups are sometimes hundreds, if not thousands, of miles apart from each other and the nearest mainland.
Neff: This can be explained by the location of the Macaronesian Islands in the Atlantic. They were originally nothing but bare rocks. They were then “colonized” by the same three main factors: wind, sea, and birds. Biological influences from three continents play a role here, namely America, Europe, and Africa. The wind carries seeds from there, which can then settle and form pioneer vegetation. Plants or roots are washed ashore by the sea, which can also form new growth. Birds, in turn, carry new seeds to the islands in their feathers and/or droppings. However, time and chance have also played a significant role in this development.
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TRAVELBOOK: Please elaborate on that.
Neff: Well, life must not only arrive at places like the Macaronesian Islands but also survive. Essential for this is the formation of soil on which plants can then hold. This forms slowly through the decomposition of animal and plant material as well as animal droppings. Depending on which island group you look at, proximity to the nearest mainland also plays a role in “colonization.” The Azores are more “American” influenced, while the other island groups are more influenced by biological factors from Europe or Africa. This results in similarities but also sometimes significant differences in the vegetation of the various island groups.
TRAVELBOOK: What role does humanity play in the history of the Macaronesian Islands?
Neff: A very significant one. The islands were virtually stepping stones of globalization. The Portuguese, as a seafaring nation, played a key role in this. Thanks to their posts on Madeira, Cape Verde, and the Azores, they managed to colonize Brazil. From Asia, they brought sugarcane there first and later to the islands. Tea, which is now grown in the Azores, is also imported. In the same process, humans introduced species to the islands that can threaten the endemic species, those that occur only here. Invasive species that spread aggressively play a major role in this, such as the hydrangeas in the Azores. These originally come from Japan. One could also speak of biogeographical globalization.
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TRAVELBOOK: How could the fragile flora of the Macaronesian Islands be better protected?
Neff: The problem is that, for example, the hydrangeas and their blooms in the Azores have now become an important tourism factor. However, they can displace native species in the long term. Climate change may also play a role in this. It is only in the last 150 years that the biogeographical connections around the islands have been understood. There is now a lively exchange in conservation practices among the “members.” Every two to three years, the “FloraMac” conference takes place, where experts who have been dealing with the topic for decades give presentations.
TRAVELBOOK: You have been researching primarily in the Azores, mainly on the island of Faial, since 1999. What fascinates you most about your work?
Neff: I am dealing with primary vegetation here, essentially the question: How does life originate? For me, it is exciting to see how vegetation develops. Here, you are virtually thrown back to the beginnings.
TRAVELBOOK: Thank you for the conversation, Mr. Neff.