NEOBIOTA 13th International Conference on The Biological Invasions

.From 4 to 6 September, the Faculty of Sciences of the University of Lisbon will host the international conference NEOBIOTA 2024, which brings together experts from around the world to discuss the latest approaches and findings on invasive alien species, both aquatic and terrestrial. This biennial event, considered one of the most important globally in the area of biological invasions, will be organised by MARE - Centro de Ciências do Ambiente, with the support of the Faculty of Sciences of the University of Lisbon and the University of Évora.

Over the three days of the conference, more than 460 experts from around 50 countries will share and debate the latest scientific and strategic advances in topics such as risk assessment, management and control of invasive species, innovative tools for detection and monitoring, routes of introduction and dispersal of species, as well as the environmental and socio-economic impacts of biological invasions and their implications for nature conservation. The significant number of registrants, which exceeded initial expectations, demonstrates the growing importance and urgency of this issue at a global level.

One of the highlights of the conference will be the participation of two internationally renowned scientists: Anthony Ricciardi, who will open the event with the first plenary presentation, and Gregory Ruiz, responsible for the closing plenary presentation.Both are recognised worldwide for their contributions to the field of biological invasions, offering a global and strategic perspective on the challenges and solutions to tackle the impact of invasive species.
The most recent UN report on invasive species (IPBES, 2023) highlights that the global impact of alien invasions is devastating: annual costs exceed 390 billion euros, and these species are responsible for 60 per cent of recent extinctions. In addition, they almost always jeopardise the quality of human life, particularly through the spread of disease.

In Portugal, the impact of invasive species has prompted a series of coordinated actions, including research projects, conservation initiatives funded by the LIFE programme, and the implementation of specific action plans to control particularly problematic species. These initiatives are articulated between various organisations, including the Institute for Nature Conservation and Forests (ICNF), with the aim of containing, controlling or eradicating invasive species in Portugal.
Parallel Activities and Pre-Conference.

Before the official start of the conference on 3 September, there will be free thematic workshops dedicated to crucial topics such as LIFE projects focused on biological invasions, assessment and management methods, the economic exploitation of invasive species, the formulation of public policies, and the involvement of citizen science. These workshops offer a unique opportunity for specialised training and the exchange of experiences between professionals and researchers.
In addition, the organisation has prepared technical visits to Sintra, the Sado Estuary (Setúbal) and the Tagus River (Santarém), allowing participants to take a closer look at some of the invasive species present in local ecosystems and learn about the projects underway to monitor and control these species.

Highlights in Portugal: Action Plans and Problem Species
In Portugal, there are action plans already in place to control species such as the red crayfish (Procambarus clarkii), the pampas grass (Cortaderia selloana) and the Japanese oyster (Crassostrea (Magallana) gigas). Another relevant example is the plan to eradicate the African clawed frog (Xenopus laevis), an invasive species native to south-east Africa, identified in the Laje and Barcarena creeks. In addition, management plans are underway for the Japanese clam (Ruditapes philippinarum), a dominant bivalve species in some Portuguese estuaries and an economically important resource in the Tagus estuary. The catfish or siluro (Silurus glanis), a predator native to Central Europe that has become a dominant species in the Tagus River, is another example of a challenge that is being addressed.

NEOBIOTA 2024 promises to be a milestone in the debate and the formulation of solutions to the problems of invasive species, bringing together cutting-edge knowledge and proactive approaches.

Find out all about it on the conference portal: HERE