Maria Manuela David, Associate Professor (Retired) of the Universidade do Algarve, PhD in Biology by the Universidade do Algarve, she has developed scientific and teaching activity mainly in ecophysiological studies of plants under conditions of environmental stress typical of Mediterranean regions. As curator of the Herbarium of the University of Algarve -ALGU, she has participated in several actions to promote knowledge and public awareness of environmental issues, in particular those involving the floristic heritage of the Algarve.