Laboratório de Ecologia Fluvial LEF

The River Ecology Laboratory (LEF-UTAD) is based at the University of Tras-os-Montes and Alto Douro (UTAD), in northern Portugal.

LEF-UTAD experts have backgrounds in Aquatic Resource Management, Forestry, Environmental Sciences, Ecology, and Applied Biology.

We carry out research, services and advanced training in various aspects of Aquatic Resource Management: ecological monitoring, inventorying and conservation of aquatic fauna (macroinvertebrate and fish communities), hydromorphological and river habitat surveys (accredited in River Habitat Survey - RHS), aquatic ecosystem integrity, Water Framework Directive compliant catchment management and planning, environmental flow studies, river restoration (with special focus on the use of bio-engineering for habitat restoration and riparian buffer), environmental impact assessment, definition and implementation of mitigation measures.