The Vila Nova de Cerveira City Council will move forward with a project worth 25,700 euros, co-financed by European funds, to combat the impacts of the invasive species Egeria densa in the Minho River, it was revealed today.
In a statement, the municipality in the district of Viana do Castelo says that the objective is “to contribute to the sustainable management of this species and to mitigate its negative impacts”, while also exploring its “potential for valorisation”.
The Council explains that the exotic invasive species Egeria densa, present in the Minho River estuary, “currently represents an environmental challenge with ecological and socioeconomic repercussions”.
“Often used in aquarium keeping, this freshwater aquatic plant has been expanding in the region, affecting the balance of ecosystems and constraining activities such as fishing and navigation,” it notes.
The first phase of the project “consists of chemical characterization of the plant, with a view to identifying possible uses, as well as mapping its distribution in the Minho River estuary”.
Also planned are “awareness-raising actions and environmental communication directed at the community, focusing on strengthening environmental literacy and on preventing the introduction and spread of exotic invasive species”.
The initiatives “aim to increase public awareness of the environmental risks associated with these phenomena and to encourage more responsible behaviours,” the municipality explains.
The project represents a total investment of around 25,700 euros and is co-financed at 70% by European funds.
