The Pro Vice-Chancellor, Prof Denis Aheto,  has received faculty and students on the Co-developing Decision Support System for Coastal Mangrove-based Socio-ecological Systems in Eastern and Western Africa (CoastMan).

The project (CoastMan) proposes co-production and uptake of a Multi-Criteria Decision Support System (DSS) that provides vulnerable communities and decision-makers a knowledge-based decision-making capacity for the restoration and conservation of socio-ecological systems.

The project has faculty and graduate students from the The Africa Centre of Excellence in Coastal Resilience (ACECoR) of UCC.

Speaking at the meeting, the Project Manager, Prof. Belachew Gizachew, said the project as an interdisciplinary and trans-sectoral team was established in partnership with vulnerable groups to co-develop and uptake a DSS to promote mitigation and strategies that enhance the adaptive capacities of the mangrove socio-ecological systems in Eastern and Western Africa.

Prof. Belachew Gizachew

According to him, the project period was between 2024 and 2027.

He said the project was funded through the International Joint Initiative for Research in Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation from The New Frontiers in Research Fund (NFRF), Canada. This is a collaboration between eight funding agencies from Brazil, Canada, Germany, Norway, South Africa, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and the United States of America.

He said the purpose of the initiative was to develop lasting strategies and solutions that could contribute to vulnerable groups being able to maintain their livelihoods, their culture, and their communities despite climate change and the effects these brings vulnerable communities in low- and middle-income countries. The Arctic is highlighted in the call, and all projects are in collaboration with affected groups.

"Mangroves provide a wealth of benefits, including a wide range of ecosystem services, fostering biodiversity and carbon storage, and acting as natural barriers against coastal erosion and storms. However, human activities and climate change impacts pose significant threats. The core objective is to co-develop a multi-criteria Decision Support System (DSS), to guide policymakers and practitioners in making informed decisions for restoration and conservation of mangroves. University of British Columbia (UBC)- Canada, University of Dundee (UD)-UK, Norwegian Institute of Bioeconomy Research (NIBIO)-Norway will co-lead. Other partners include Norwegian University of Life Sciences (NMBU), Sokoine University of Agriculture (SUA) & Mkwawa University College of Education (MUCE)- Tanzania, and University of Cape Coast (UCC)- Ghana, and five local Community organizations representing vulnerable groups in Tanzania and Ghana."

He said young researchers would gain valuable experience. 

"A co-production and dissemination strategy ensures project outputs are directly relevant to the end users. This includes building their capacity to design climate actions including mangrove restoration and conservation, strengthening their resilience and food security."  he added.

Prof. Denis Aheto

For his part, Prof Aheto said he was glad to know that the project will co-develop sustainable livelihood strategies for coastal communities.

Furthermore, he said he was the project will lead to improved knowledge and capacity of partner institutions through supporting early career researchers and promoting strengthened collaboration between partners and vulnerable coastal mangrove-dependent communities.

Prof. Aheto told the delegation that he would support them to ensure a successful project.

Source: Documentation and Information Section