> The LIFE Charcos team sponsored another training program for teachers, this time in Vila do Bispo, to ensure the role of environmental education in the protection of Temporary Ponds in this region.
On Saturday, March 25th 2017, teachers from the various levels of teaching at the Vila do Bispo' Schools participated in a Training Course for Teachers titled "Temporary Ponds: A Natural Habitat to Protect", sponsored by the LPN - The Protection of Nature, with the support of the Basic School of 2nd and 3rd level of S. Vicente and the Municipality of Vila do Bispo.
The main objective of this course was to train teachers so that they can assure environmental education for the protection and maintenance of Temporary Ponds of the Southwest Coast of Portugal. Promoting knowledge about Temporary Ponds, knowing the dynamics of this habitat as well as the biotic and abiotic processes, were some of the specific objectives of the lecture during the training course.
Then, at the field trip, it was observed some of the fauna and flora species that make up the biodiversity associated with this habitat and, some of its ecological functions were also mentioned. It was possible to observe Temporary Ponds and provide direct contact with animals that depend exclusively on this habitat, as is the case of Triops vicentinus, a freshwater crustacean that belongs to the group of Large Branchiopodes that are endemic to this region.
The uniqueness of this habitat is associated with the diversity and peculiarity of organisms it hosts. The associated flora and fauna are very specific and adapted to the alternation of conditions between flooding and dryness, according to the season of the year, since the Temporary Ponds are wetlands where the permanence of the water depends on the annual precipitation and the hydrogeological conditions.
Because they are one of the most remarkable and unique freshwater habitats in Europe, Temporary Ponds are considered a priority habitat and are protected by the Habitats Directive of the European Union.
