The Achada Plateau is one of the most valuable natural sites on the Azores. It hosts one of the last intact remnants of the original
temperate mixed forests that covered the archipelago before the arrival of humans and the following
deforestation and introduction of
exotic species. It is listed as an
Important Bird Area, several birds species make home in the
peat bogs,
ponds and
lakes of the formation. Part of the central plateau was designated a
Ramsar wetland in 2008 due to its ecological importance. The plateau is part of two
Natura 2000 sites: The Special Conservation Zone of Mount Pico, Prainha and Caveiro; and the Special Protection Zone of the Central Zone of Pico.
Climate Due to its altitude, the plateau has a significantly different climate when compared to the rest of the island. According to
Köppen, Achada has an
oceanic climate, with cool to warm summers and chilly to cool winters. In the warmest month – August – temperatures vary between at day to at night and in the coolest month – January – from at day to at night. The area is subject to intense
orographic lift which makes precipitation thoroughly abundant, humidity high (around 90%) and cloudiness persistent. It gets between of precipitation per year, making it the rainiest area in the
Atlantic Ocean (though most of the precipitation is actually from
drizzle). ==Gallery==