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24h event in Ria de Aveiro, Portugal
May 7, 2022 00:00 - May 7, 2022 23:55
The COST Action Alien-CSI (Increasing understanding of alien species through citizen science) is organising the Aveiro BioBlitz in Portugal at the Natura 2000 Sita in Ria de Aveiro.
Fourteen thousand alien or non-native species have been introduced deliberately or unintentionally by people to Europe. Invasive alien species are species that threaten biodiversity, societies, economies and human health.
Invasive alien species cost globally 70 billion USD per year. "In countries like Portugal invasive alien species, alongside climate change and urban development, are a major threat on land, in lakes and rivers and the sea" says Dr Heliana Teixeira, MC member, Marine Ecologist at the Universidade de Aveiro, and local organiser of the Alien-CSI meeting and BioBlitz.
The Action will address multidisciplinary research questions in relation to developing and implementing Citizen Science, advancing scientific understanding of Alien Species dynamics while informing decision-making, specifically implementation of technical requirements of relevant legislation such as the EU Regulation 1143/2014 on Invasive Alien Species.
Alien-CSI is a research network funded by COST. The network is running its management committee meeting and workshops at the Universidade de Aveiro, Campus de Santiago, in Aveiro, Portugal, on 4-7 May 2022.
Around 50 international experts from 37 countries from Europe will team up to discuss the challenges posed by invasive alien species and consider action through citizen science – whereby people are engaged in taking active roles in enhancing understanding and ultimately protecting biodiversity. Alien- CSI is led by Professor Helen Roy and a team of experts from across Europe, including Dr Heliana Teixeira.
BioBlitzes are biodiversity recording events common in the US and over the last few years have become popular in Europe too. The Aveiro BioBlitz will be the rehearsal of a huge BioBlitz, organised by Alien CSI, expected to take place simultaneously in many European countries later this month. We would like to invite the citizens of Aveiro to come and work collaboratively with scientists to record the wildlife of Aveiro.
By teaming with international experts in invasion ecology, citizens can help locate newly introduced invasive alien species, record many established ones, and understand their impacts while discussing possible management actions. Contributions by citizens are key to the study of invasive alien species, the organisers said.
Location: Natura 2000 Sita at Ria de Aveiro
Contact: Heliana Teixeira [email protected] Local organizer or Kelly Martinou [email protected], Alien CSI Communication Manager
Action website: https://alien-csi.eu/
Action Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/aliencsi/
Action Twitter: @aliencsi1
