Sail for Mangroves in The Gambia
Abstract
The Gambia is the smallest country on mainland Africa with a population of about 2.77 million. Located in the Sahelian zone of WestAfrica, it is one of the most densely populated and poorest African countries. The River Gambia dissects this narrow strip of land into the north and south regions, before emptying into the Atlantic Ocean. The River Gambia-mangrove forest (RGM) ecosystem complex supports fisheries, farming, navigation, and tourism; provides raw materials such as wood and fiber; provides habitats for a wide range of local and migratory species, including protected or endangered species; and has a high capacity for carbon capture and sequestration. The severe degradation of the RGM ecosystem complex is evidenced by the rapid loss of forest coverage, from 41% in 1990 down to 24% in 2020. Despite some recent success in mangrove replantation, the loss of mangroves to land use change continues in some areas. The goal of the project is to generate detailed and rigorous environmental and biodiversity data for the RGM forest ecosystem complex to support long-term conservation, management, and sustainable development. We will test the overarching hypothesis that biodiversity, carbon storage capacity, and other ecological properties vary significantly between mangrove types, seasons, and decades.To achieve the objectives and outcomes of the project, the team members will 1build on a previously-developed citizen science network to monitor, record, and evaluate the physical and chemical conditions, above-ground and below-ground carbon, as well as biodiversity of mangrove forests along six sites in the RGM forest ecosystem complex. 2Promote seamanship, scientific methods, and the use offloating laboratories for observing and understanding critical ecosystems; nurture the next generation of environmental champions in The Gambia. 3Disseminate data and information through digital and printed media, scientific publications, as well as in-person events to local, national, and international stakeholders including community leaders, policymakers, environmental agencies, aid organizations, and research organizations. Co-create long-term conservation and research plans with stakeholders. The project will recruitcommunity science leaders (CSLs) from the University of The Gambia and an eligible Gambian applicant for a PhD studentship to become a student leader on the project, and serve as a peer mentor to the CSLs. The PhD student leader and CSLs will in turn reach out and mobilize community members from the project sites to participate in this project. This will empower participants and communities in environmental stewardship to ensure sustainability. By the end of the project, the data collected will support global efforts to understand mangrove forests and the effects of climate change.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Apr 11, 2024
- Source ID
- N629092412033
Entities
People
- Maiyai Hocheimy
Organizations
- Office of Naval Research
- United States Navy