> On 24th of November was held in Odemira the Technical Seminar on Invasive Flora in the Southwest where the LIFE CHARCOS team was present.

On 24th of November of 2014, was held in Odemira the Technical Seminar on Invasive Flora in the Southwest where the LIFE CHARCOS team was present. The day was organized by the Association of Mira’ Beneficiaries with the promotion of Elisabete Marchante, a researcher at the University of Coimbra, and aimed to promote and raise awareness of this problem of invasive plants. Species such as thorn tree, silver wattle, giant cane or the ice plant are invasive because they are plants from other regions of the world with large reproductive capacity, resistance, rapid growth, easy adjustment and easy dispersion without the help of man .

Invasive plants have proliferated throughout the country but there is a special concern in the southwest coast because the losses and costs that cause the agricultural and forestry activities in the irrigation perimeter are significant. Globally, it is estimated that the losses of invasive species equivalent to 5% of the world economy.

Invasive plants are also a major threat to Mediterranean Temporary Ponds, including the ice plant or various species of acacia, which will gradually gaining ground to other native species, causing a rapid and sometimes irreversible disturbance, degrading the condition this priority habitat.

For more information see http://invasoras.pt/en/  or http://lifecharcos.lpn.pt/en/pagina.php?id=892