Exhibition at CMIA Vila do Conde
Monday to Friday from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm and from 2:00 pm to 4:30 pm at CMIA Vila do Conde – Free entry
Freshwater mussels are a group of bivalves comprising over 900 species distributed across rivers and lakes on every continent except Antarctica. Historically, these organisms were highly abundant; however, they now represent one of the most endangered animal groups in the world. Their high vulnerability stems from habitat degradation caused by human activities, pollution, and the introduction of invasive species. These threats are exacerbated by the effects of climate change, which have increased the frequency of extreme phenomena such as droughts.
In Portugal, there are six species of freshwater mussels. Over the last two decades, these species have suffered a dramatic decline in their distribution and abundance throughout the country. Currently, all species are classified as either Endangered or Critically Endangered. Despite their ecological importance, they remain largely unknown to the general public.
Language: Portuguese
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