LIFE INVASEP

The INVASEP project, funded by the LIFE programme, was set up to protect the wildlife of the Tagus and Guadiana rivers, which cross the Portuguese and Spanish borders, to maintain genetic diversity, to preserve endemic species, to control invasive species and to strengthen Spanish-Portuguese cooperation. During the development phase, which ran from 2012 to 2018, both corrective and preventive measures were taken to manage invasive alien species.

Preparatory measures include the delimitation of endangered areas, the establishment of invasive species monitoring and analysis, the development of a strategy to control invasive species, the development of a ‘code of conduct’ for these species, and the compilation of an inventory and map.

Preventive activities include testing control techniques applicable in the catchment area, preventing the introduction of new invasive species, developing an alert system, testing control and eradication methods, and ensuring management plans and monitoring.

These are complemented by activities aimed at disseminating the results and raising awareness of the issue, such as creating a website, organising school presentations and training courses, involving experts in the field, publishing information materials and participating in international conferences.

As a result of the project, Portuguese-Spanish cooperation has been further deepened, a strategy to prevent the spread of invasive species has been adopted, populations of species posing a threat to the area have been identified and assessed, the problem of invasive species posing a threat to the Tagus and Guadiana rivers has been raised in the public awareness, and various management methods have been developed.