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1. The Asian clam Corbicula fluminea is an invasive freshwater species that can cause adverse ecological and economic impacts. Information on its dispersal abilities, ecological preferences and impacts may contribute towards the improvement of management strategies, including those relating to regulatory demands such as the European Water Framework Directive (WFD).2. Both the above perspectives were addressed through inspection of environmental constraints to C. fluminea dispersal and impacts in a semi-natural drainage catchment (interconnected system of ditches). Forty sites were surveyed in 2014 to describe the species distribution and to characterize benthic macroinvertebrate communities, water column and sediment physico-chemistry, as well as the hydromorphological conditions. 3. Clams were unevenly distributed in the study area and artificial barriers (dikes) did not prevent downstream dispersal of juveniles. Large variation in clam density (0-3077 clams m −2 ) could not be explained by physico-chemical or hydromorphological gradients. Although typical clam preference ranges reported in the literature were often exceeded, dense populations were nevertheless observed. 4. Macroinvertebrate community structure suggested associations between the Asian clam and some functional feeding groups. However, the impacts of clams on macroinvertebrate assemblages and ecological quality were negligible, suggesting that contemporary methods designed to comply with the WFD bioassessment scheme may fail to detect important drivers of ecological change in freshwater ecosystems.5. This study demonstrated the reduced ecological impacts and broad ecological competence of the Asian clam, but also that its spread depends on human vectors. These findings highlight the need to rethink prediction tools supporting preventive measures against the introduction and spread of this invasive bivalve.

ResumenComo resultado de um protocolo de colaboração internacional entre o Instituto Politécnico de Viseu e a Universidade do Estado de Santa Catarina, o projeto que se apresenta tem por objetivo identificar, caracterizar e partilhar, ao nível de Instituições de Ensino Superior (IES), iniciativas desenvolvidas nos cursos de formação inicial de professores que potenciem a promoção de competências de planificação, implementação e avaliação de práticas interdisciplinares (PIs), incluindo as que incentivem ligações com contextos formais/não formais. Em termos metodológicos, compreende três fases (clarificação, monitorização e divulgação) e baseia-se numa metodologia mista, com pendor qualitativo. Espera-se que o conhecimento produzido sirva de base ao design de PIs. Palavras-chave: Interdisciplinaridade; práticas na formação de professores; ensino superior; cooperação internacional Abstract This project is the result of an international collaboration protocol between the PolytechnicaI Institute of Viseu (Portugal) and the University of Santa Catarina State (Brasil). At the level of higher education institutions (HEIs), it aims to identify, characterize and share initiatives in teacher training courses which promote the skills of planning, implementation and evaluation of interdisciplinary practices (IPs), and encourage links with formal and non-formal contexts. In methodological terms, the project comprises three phases (clarification, monitoring and dissemination) and is based on an essentially qualitative methodology. It is expected that the knowledge produced will provides the basis for the design of IPs.