|
Project properties |
|
| Title | Testing a promising restorative method for restoration mangroves and seagrass, and inhibiting expansion of invasive plants (Fieldwork Bonaire). |
| Group | Aquatic Ecology and Water Quality Management Group |
| Project type | thesis |
| Credits | 33-39 |
| Supervisor(s) | Name:Marjolijn Christianen (AEW-WUR); Email:marjolijn.christianen@wur.nl
Name:Sabine Engel (STINAPA Bonaire) Name: Karin Didderen (Bureau Waardenburg) |
| Examiner(s) | Marjolijn Christianen (AEW-WUR) |
| Contact info | Mischa Streekstra (Mischa@Streekstra@wur.nl) |
| Begin date | 2021/08/01 |
| End date | 2023/08/01 |
| Description | The rapid loss of productive and species-rich mangroves and seagrass beds is impacting not only endangered species but also the well-being of hundreds of millions of people worldwide. In addition to protecting these ecosystems, there is an urgent need for innovations in large-scale restoration of these ecosystems. The linkages within- and between- ecosystems, also known as feedbacks, entail that recovery efforts require an integrated approach. The Dutch ministry and STINAPA will start a first pilot for large scale mangrove and seagrass restoration in Bonaire this year in collaboration with WUR and Bureau Waardenburg.
In this project we offer two MSc student projects, that will work together to: 1) develop, test and monitor scalable restoration methods for integrated ecosystem restoration focused on mangroves and seagrass beds. 2) Test if this restoration method can impact species coexistence. And study the competition between native (T. testudinum) and invasive seagrass (H. stipulacea). 3) Additionally, there are other options to participate and learn from local restoration activities e.g. with mangrove maniacs and STINAPA. You will be part of a collaborative project and collaborate and learn from researchers, conservationists, nature managers and ecological consultants. COVID note: start of fieldwork is estimated & preferred September 2021, pending a positive travel policy of WUR. More information of the restoration method we will test can be found here: https://www.bese-products.com |
| Used skills | Fieldwork/observations; data analysis/statistics; scientific diving |
| Requirements | Diving certificate (min. 30 dives), driver’s license, basic knowledge of marine ecology, minimum of 3 months fieldwork |