Background The Porto Santo Islets are a group of small Portuguese islands located within the Madeira archipelago, 43 km northeast of Madeira. Administratively, the islands are part of the Autonomous Region of Madeira. The largest of the islands is Porto Santo Island, which is about 11 km long and 6 km wide. The project targets the Natura 2000 site of the Porto Santo Islets. The site is made up of a terrestrial area of vegetated sea cliffs and the marine area around the islets. The area is home to a large number of species endemic to the Macaronesian coasts - notably seabirds, land snails and plants - many of which are included in the Annexes to the Habitats and Birds Directives. Since the discovery of Porto Santo Island, these species and habitats have come under increasing threat from the spread of invasive alien species and human activities. Appropriate habitat management is, therefore, essential for the long-term conservation of biodiversity on and around these islands. Objectives The principal objective of the LIFE Ilhéus do Porto Santo project is to remove threats to the natural ecosystems of the Natura 2000 site of the Porto Santo islets and to improve the conservation status of species endemic to this region. The project will research the distribution, density and conservation status of endangered species of seabirds, terrestrial molluscs, plants and arthropods in the project area. It will also explore ways of tackling the problem of artificial lights from Porto Santo Island, which can disorientate seabirds. A programme of conservation measures specific to the endemic species will be implemented, including the control of rabbits, mice and invasive plants, and the establishment of quarantine measures to prevent the (re-)introduction of exotic species, particularly Rattus sp. Endangered indigenous plants will be reinforced and trails introduced to control human impact on biodiversity. Expected results: The compilation of comprehensive information about endemic species in Porto Santo islets; An improvement in the conservation status of endangered species; Action Plans for the endangered species in Porto Santo islets; Solutions to the effects of lights from Porto Santo Island on seabirds.