On World Earth Day, meet Pateira de Frossos

Located in the Baixo Vouga lagoon, Pateira de Frossos stands out for its great biodiversity, typical of the lagoon system of Ria de Aveiro. On this World Earth Day, we present you the main characteristics of Pateira de Frossos, as well as the awareness-raising efforts which are being made for the knowledge and valorisation of this important wetland of the Aveiro region.

World Earth Day invites us to remember the importance of the balance of natural ecosystems. Our survival depends on the natural resources that surround us, so it is essential to reflect and understand how we can contribute to their responsible use, as well as their conservation.

Wetlands are one of the most important and productive ecosystems on the planet, providing countless benefits for both wildlife and humans. Besides improving water quality, they contribute to carbon sequestration from the atmosphere, mitigate the effects of floods and droughts, and provide habitat for a wide variety of species of living beings.

The region of Aveiro has several wetlands of ecological importance, as is the case of Pateira de Frossos, located in the village of Frossos, in Albergaria-a-Velha, near the headquarters of the BioLiving Association. This is a wetland which is formed in the final section of the river Vouga and floods pastures and agricultural land, thus forming a unique agro-ecosystem, with an intricate network of channels flanked by linear forests.

It is thus an important habitat for various protected and threatened species, such as Polygunum amphibium (water knotweed) and Ardea purpurea (purple heron), and is therefore fully included in the Natura 2000 Network.

The strong seasonality and the relevant biodiversity present in Pateira de Frossos mark a complex and delicate ecology, sensitive to a strong anthropogenic pressure, through activities such as agricultural intensification, the dispersion of invasive exotic species, the over-exploitation of natural resources, among others, which can have significant negative impacts on the functioning of ecosystems, as well as on the many services they provide us.

Find out how you can help to protect the nature of the Aveiro region

One way to restore the ecological functionality of degraded natural areas is through planting of native trees and shrubs, as promoted by the ecological campaign of reforestation in the region of Aveiro, from BioLiving Association and AdRA - Águas da Região de Aveiro.

If you want to participate, you can join the Digital Invoice and AdRAnet: until June 30, for each 2 accessions, AdRA donates 1 native tree to BioLiving!

Want to participate and don't know how?

Just follow the steps below:

1. Register by clicking on "Register here" here. In this step, you will have to enter your Entity Code, Taxpayer Number and E-mail. You can find your Entity Code by consulting your invoices, namely the section "Customer Data" - Local/Inter-entity Code (last 6 digits).

2. Check your e-mail inbox, where you will have received an e-mail to set your password.

3. Log in by going back here.

4. Choose under the heading "Invoicing" - "Invoice by Email".

5. Insert the e-mail address where the invoice should be sent and click on "Save".

6. Encourage a relative, friend, work colleague or acquaintance to do the same. At the end of the process, both will have contributed to the donation of a native tree to reforest the Aveiro region!

You can also contribute to environmental protection by participating in environmental education and nature conservation activities, regularly promoted by BioLiving Association, by checking their Facebook or Instagram pages or by sending an email to geral.bioliving@gmail.com.