EBM Focus Area: Biodiversity

Promoting Organization: EBM – Associação Estação Biológica de Mértola
Partner Organization(s): Associação BIOPOLIS, CIIMAR/UP, CBMA/UM, CIMO/IPB, CITAB/UTAD, MARE/ULSARGA/Gobierno de Aragón (Spain), EDIA, S.A.

Timeline: january 2025- january 2028

Location: Guadiana, Mira, and Sado river basins

Freshwater mussels, also known as naiads, are among the most threatened animal groups globally, in Europe, and in Portugal. Species such as Unio tumidiformis, Unio delphinus, Anodonta anatina, and Potomida littoralis have experienced a drastic decline of over 70% in the last 20 years due to habitat degradation, water scarcity, and the impacts of climate change. In southern Portugal, their distribution is now limited to a few locations within the Sado, Mira, and Guadiana river basins. This project aims to establish an ark to safeguard these species and implement a reintroduction and conservation program.

Contacts:

• ebm@ebmertola.pt

Funding Organization: Associação Viridia – Conservation in Action