The “Invasoras.MCQ” project will be implemented, in a first phase, in two areas under municipal management, to demonstrate how to intervene in the fight against the invasive species 'Mimosa' (Acacia dealbata) and 'Australia' (Acacia melanoxylon), specified the municipality of the district of Faro, in a statement.

According to the Mayor of Monchique, Rui André, cited in the document, the proliferation of invasive plants "was sharpened after the rural fires, with an exponential increase in the number of plants due to the action of fire and exposure to sunlight, arising in places where they did not previously exist”.

“It is urgent to intervene in areas where invasive plants are gaining ground, under penalty of the irremediable loss of biodiversity and the identity of these places and the characteristics of the Serra de Monchique”, warned the mayor.

Some invasive plant species have the ability to coexist with native species in a balanced way, there are others that manage to colonize the environment, forming new populations, with several negative impacts on biodiversity, preventing the development of native species, while they alter the habitat, competing for food and space, the note reads.

In turn, the president of the Group for Studies and Planning of the Territory and Environment (GEOTA), also mentioned in the note from the municipality, said that the project “Invasoras.MCQ” was born “from the need for human action, to curb the growth of species invaders”.

“In mainland Portugal, over the last two centuries and especially in recent decades, the number of exotic species has increased a lot, and it is estimated that they may account for around 670 species, which corresponds to approximately 18% of the native flora”, said João Dias Coelho.

The Municipality of Monchique will invest around 17 thousand euros in the first phase of the “Invasoras.MCQ” project, which is scheduled to start on September 20, with interventions in the Convento and Montinho areas, in the village of Monchique.