Aquona from the hand of Suez Spain launches the BiObserva ‘STOP-invasive’ program to control invasive species in its facilities

Today, on the occasion of the International Day for Biological Diversity, it is necessary to remember the importance of caring for the planet, especially in the face of the current health crisis, and of preventing the introduction of invasive alien species into the environment, the world's second leading cause of biodiversity loss. according to the UN. That is why SUEZ in Spain, within the framework of its Sustainable Development strategy (REwater Global Plan, 2017-2021), has developed the BiObserva ‘STOP-invasoras’ program. The objective of this initiative is to control invasive species in all its water treatment facilities, thus contributing to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and more specifically to SDG No. 15, which focuses on stopping the loss of biodiversity.
Water treatment plants are facilities that have, for the most part, green areas where invasive flora can be found, fast-growing species with great dispersal and invasion capacity, especially in aquatic environments (riverside forests, wetlands , river courses, temporary rafts ...) which are currently suffering the greatest loss of biodiversity.
In Aquona, the conservation of biodiversity is part of the management of the company's facilities. The BiObserva program 'STOP-invasoras' offers, through its own methodology and tools (a web platform and a mobile app), all the information necessary to train on how to identify species, report observations, as well as execute and carry out control plans and communication of invasive species in facilities. The web platform can also be consulted publicly at www.biobserva.com/stopinvasoras, thus contributing to the awareness and knowledge of citizens regarding said environmental problems.
In the design of the invasive flora species management program, feasibility has been taken into account for all the facilities, aimed at personnel with no prior knowledge in the field and with the collaboration of experts in botany and invasive species, as well as with citizen science tools.
The Director of Sustainable Development Laura de Vega stresses that "At Aquona we have integrated the preservation of biodiversity into the operational management of the facilities, which will contribute to improving the quality of ecosystems, thus benefiting biodiversity "
In Aquona, the program was launched in April with webinar training for various facilities managers and will continue throughout 2020, completing this training for all managers with facilities under their charge. Next, inventories of invasive flora will be carried out at the facilities and the corresponding action protocols will be carried out.
Laura de Vega added that "Nature is associated with health, among its benefits is being the best protection against pandemics, therefore, contributing to having healthy and strong ecosystems will result in our own health."