International Day for Biological Diversity '26

On the International Day for Biological Diversity, celebrated on 22 May, it is essential to emphasise the role of scientific research and ecological monitoring as key pillars for ecosystem conservation and environmental sustainability.

Within CITAB (UTAD) activities, I have been involved in coordinating and contributing to research projects addressing biodiversity across multiple scales and ecosystems, ranging from terrestrial to freshwater and coastal environments. A central outreach initiative is BioBlitz UTAD 2026, a citizen science programme that engages students, researchers, and the wider community in recording and identifying species at the UTAD campus and Corgo Park, contributing to a participatory biodiversity inventory and strengthening environmental awareness.

In parallel, my research involvement includes projects that address both biodiversity threats and innovative monitoring approaches. MULTI-CRASH explores the ecological cascades triggered by invasive species in pristine habitats, while DNAquaIMG (Biodiversa+) develops cutting-edge biodiversity monitoring tools based on molecular methods and automated image recognition. In the field of conservation, the “Saving Southern Naiads” project focuses on the urgent recovery of critically endangered freshwater mussels in southern Portuguese river basins through ex situ conservation and reintroduction strategies. The Atlântida II project strengthens integrated coastal monitoring in Northern Portugal, combining physical, chemical, and biological data to support marine ecosystem management and policy decisions. Together, these initiatives reflect an integrated approach to biodiversity, combining science, innovation, and societal engagement to address today’s environmental challenges.