The silent extinction of freshwater mussels in Portugal.
24 March, 2024
Time: 11:00
Capacity: 25 people
Access: Entrance through the Quinta gate – Rua Bartolomeu Velho, n.º 141
Panoramic Room – Quinta de Serralves
Free access, but mandatory registration via the link.
Despite their importance, freshwater ecosystems, such as rivers and lakes, are highly threatened.
Freshwater mussels, although among the most discreet inhabitants of these ecosystems, can be found in various rivers in Portugal. These animals perform fundamental ecological functions, such as water filtration, which is why they are often referred to as “ecosystem engineers,” yet they are among the most threatened species on the planet. In the last 20 years, the populations of Portuguese freshwater mussels have suffered a decline of approximately 60%, with all species being threatened, according to the Red Book of Continental Portugal Invertebrates.
In this conversation, the biology of freshwater mussels, their importance for ecosystems and the general population, as well as the threats to their conservation and the need for protection of these species, will be explored.
Researcher: André Santos
More on the event here.
