We are happy to invite you to participate in this pre-congress workshop about freshwater mussel conservation. The workshop will be essentially practical with scheduled visits to several mussel populations, interpretation sessions and discussion. The objective is to share practical insights about study methods and problems, conservation issues and management options while in presence of the actual problems in the field. Formal contributed seminars and further discussion can take place during the congress in the Azores.

What?

Freshwater mussels’ conservation is threatened by a variety of human induced factors including direct habitat alteration and climate change. In this workshop healthy and threatened populations of freshwater mussels in southern Portugal will be visited. Examples of channel regularization, mining pollution, deforestation, fire, Corbicula introduction, fish fauna change and increasing droughts impacts will be seen. Four Unionid species will be encountered, including two Unio, one Anodonta and one Potomida.

Where and when?

The workshop will be held in southern Portugal, in the area of the Natural Park of the Guadiana Valley around the historical town of Mértola on August 30 and 31. We will arrange for transportation to and from Lisbon and for accommodation in Mértola. Arrangements for the ongoing travel to the Azores in September 1 can be arranged as well. All participants are expected to arrive to Lisbon by Saturday, August 30 early afternoon the latest.

Registration and fees

The fees for participating in this workshop are:

- Registered to the 5th Congress of the European Malacological Societies: €75
- Non-registered to the 5th Congress of the European Malacological Societies: €100
- Student: €50

The fees include transfer to and from Lisbon, one night accommodation in Mértola and two meals (breakfast and lunch on Sunday, August 31).
For more information please contact Joaquim Reis joaqreis@gmail.com