Nova Atlantis
THE AZORES - The Nova Atlantis Foundation is based on the island of Pico, one of the nine islands of the archipelago of the Azores. These incredible islands are surrounded by a mystical haze, which encloses their astonishing mountain landscapes, peaceful valleys, wide variety of exotic and endemic plants and its magical volcanic craters and lakes. The foundation protects and conserves all the beauty of the nature of the Azores. Research, education and conservation activities are the basis for Nova Atlantis in preserving the unique marine ecosystem of the Azores.
The objectives of the foundation are realized by the set-up, execution and coordination of research projects. In the beginning of May 2000 the Risso Project was started. This project is based on the study of the behaviour and social structure of the Risso dolphin or Grampus griseus. On Pico, the Rissos Dolphin Research Center of the Foundation is an informative meeting point where scientists and students can work on the research and conservation of cetaceans and the unique marine ecosystem of the Azores.
The Azores are divided into three island groups. The island of Pico, the second largest island of the archipelago, is situated in the Central Group in the immediate vicinity of the islands of Faial, So Jorge, Graciosa and Terceira. The geological backbone of the volcano stretches out far to the east where many volcanoes are closely linked at an altitude of 800-1100 m above sea level. Hidden in the valleys between these volcanoes you can find small lakes surrounded by heaths and dense cloud forests. Closer to the coast, the small villages breathe a Mediterranean atmosphere. Surrounding the villages, you will see typical, staged terraces where the local people grow vegetables, wine grapes and other fruits and graze their cattle. But it is the ocean surrounding Pico that is the most fascinating wonder of the Azores. These waters are the unique habitat of more than 25 species of whales and dolphins.
All projects from this organization
The Risso Dolphin Project
In the Risso project, we conduct research on the Risso dolphin (Grampus griseus). Very little is known about the social behaviour and population structure of the Risso dolphin. We aim to understand and describe the life history patterns, the social ...
The Ocean Watch Project
The Ocean Watch project has the purpose to increase our understanding of the status, numbers and life-history patterns for many sea species. There is still a large knowledge-gap. This is mainly due to the difficulties of studying animals who spend ...
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