15 ECTS credits
450 h study time
Offer 1 with catalog number 4020097FNR for all students in the 2nd semester at a (F) Master - specialised level.
Table of contents:
The exact course content may slightly change but will focus on one or more of the following topics.
Theory:
1. Environmental settings (water, sediment) at the mangrove wetland
2. Mangrove taxonomy and characteristics
3. Mangrove conservation and management (with sustainable use and exploitation)
4. Invited talk (e.g. Matang mangroves after a century of conservation and management)
Practicals:
1. Ecotourism in mangroves
2. Determination of the physico‐chemical conditions of water and sediment
3. Visit to replanted, thinning and clear‐felling mangrove sites
4. Mangrove charcoal production and export
5. Mangrove dependent population and their livelihood
6. Role of local communities in mangrove conservation and management (including local knowledge
on ethnobotany and ethnomedicine)
7. Vegetation inventory
8. Fecundity (seed production) in different mangrove species
9. Mangrove species distribution vs. inundation frequency (along the river/creek)
10. Mangrove zonation (transect across the forest)
Projects:
1. Determination of mangrove fecundity (as per the fruiting season)
2. Mangrove vs. sea level rise
IMPORTANT: The costs for the Course are in part met by the University, but each student will be asked to
contribute a maximum of 2000 MYR for transport, accommodation in shared chalets, etc… Students will
also be asked to contribute to shared food costs if necessary.
Course material, text books and further reading:
Samuel C.S., Jane G.S. (eds.), 1984. The mangrove ecosystem: research methods. UNESCO.
Tomlison P.B., 1986. The botany of mangroves. Cambridge University Press.
Saenger P., 2002. Mangrove ecology, silviculture and conservation. Kluwer Academic Publishers.
Singh V.P. , Odaki K., 2004. Mangrove ecosystem : structure and function. Scientific Publishers.
Kathiresan K., Qasim S.Z., 2005. Biodiversity of mangrove ecosystems. Hindustan publishing corporation.
Mazda Y., Wolanski E., Ridd P.V., 2007. The role of physical processes in mangrove environments. Manual
for preservation and utilization of mangrove forests. Terrapub.
Clough B., 2013. Continuing the journey amongst mangroves. ISME, Mangrove Educational Book Series No. 1.
Ong J.E., Gong W.K., 2013. Structure, Function and Management of Mangrove Ecosystems. ISME, Mangrove
Educational Book Series No. 2.
Baba S., Chan H.T., Aksornkoae S., 2013. Useful products from mangrove and other coastal plants. ISME,
Mangrove Educational Book Series No. 3.
Course objectives:
‐ to expose the students to mangrove environment
‐ to recognise and identify mangrove biodiversity and its association patterns
‐ to test /apply mangrove theoretical knowledge/concepts in the field
‐ to validate mangrove loss and gain scenarios practically
‐ to appreciate ‘sustainability’ in mangrove forest resources use and management
Learning outcomes :
Upon completion of the course a student must be able to ‐
‐ become conversant with both qualitative and quantitative sampling techniques for mangrove surveillance
‐ assess any mangrove ecosystem for appropriate conservation and management directives
‐ provide scientific direction to the local mangrove managers and policy makers
‐ frame his/her own research ideas for pursuing a higher academic qualification (e.g. Ph.D.)
The final grade is composed based on the following categories:
Other Exam determines 100% of the final mark.
Within the Other Exam category, the following assignments need to be completed:
breakdown
Student participation and attitude + Projects/Presentations/Reporting: 100 %
This offer is part of the following study plans:
Master of Biology: AR Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degree in Tropical Biodiversity and Ecosystems, start at Brussels
Master of Biology: AR Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degree in Tropical Biodiversity and Ecosystems, start at Paris
Master of Biology: AR Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degree in Tropical Biodiversity and Ecosystems, start at Cayenne