The mangroves of Nigeria’s Niger Delta, among the largest in Africa, are degrading due to decades of oil spills, local deforestation, and other factors, posing not only a climate risk but also a societal relevant problem. These blue carbon ecosystems are vital for biodiversity, coastal protection from storm surges, and carbon sequestration. Yet, despite their ecological and socio-economic value, restoration efforts remain unconvincing and underachieving.
Adopting a transdisciplinary approach is no longer optional but essential to reverse this trend. A recent framework by Pandit et al.(2019) emphasizes integrating biophysical, socio-economic, cultural, and political factors in restoration planning. Friess et al.(2022) further stress that large-scale mangrove restoration projects risk failure without community inclusion and evidence-based strategies.
Zabbey et al.(2021) advocate engaging local citizens in data collection, participatory Apps, and ecosystem monitoring to close resource and capacity gaps while empowering communities. This inclusive model improves restoration outcomes and fosters trust and co-ownership.
As Nigeria grapples with climate change and environmental degradation, the restoration of mangrove ecosystems must change from just political and scientific interventions to collaborative, locally informed action. Transdisciplinary science, when paired with grassroots engagement, offers a blueprint for lasting ecological and social resilience in the Niger Delta.
References
Bodo, T., & David, L. K. (2018). The Petroleum Exploitation and Pollution in Ogoni, Rivers State, Nigeria: The Community Perspective. European Scientific Journal, ESJ,14(32), 197. https://doi.org/10.19044/esj.2018.v14n32p197
N. Zabbey, N.C. Kpaniku, K. Sam, G.N. Nwipie, O.E. Okoro, F.G. Zabbey, B.B. Babatunde,Could community science drive environmental management in Nigeria’s degrading coastal Niger delta? Prospects and challenges, Environmental Development, Volume 37, 2021, 100571, ISSN 2211-4645, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envdev.2020.100571
Pandit, R., Parrotta, J. A., Chaudhary, A. K., Karlen, D. L., Vieira, D. L. M., Anker, Y.,Ntshotsho, P. (2019). A framework to evaluate land degradation and restoration responses for improved planning and decision-making. Ecosystems and People,16(1), 1–18. https://doi.org/10.1080/26395916.2019.1697756
Towards a framework for mangrove restoration and conservation in Nigeria. Kabari Sam, Nenibarini Zabbey, Nenubari Deebari Gbaa, Justina Chinwendu Ezurike, Chidinma Mirian Okoro. Regional Studies in Marine Science, Volume 66, 2023, 103154,ISSN 2352-4855, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rsma.2023.103154
Daniel A. Friess, Yasmine M. Gatt, Rio Ahmad, Benjamin M. Brown, Frida Sidik, Dominic Wodehouse, Achieving ambitious mangrove restoration targets will need a transdisciplinary and evidence-informed approach,One Earth,Volume 5, Issue 5,2022,Pages 456-460,ISSN 2590-3322, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.oneear.2022.04.013
I think that the topic of transdisciplinary approaches for restoration of mangroves in the Niger Delta is suitable for the poster task. I like that it is very specific regarding the strategy, the ecosystem type and the geographical location. Very good, that you have found interesting and fitting literature references. However, the presentation of the references needs to be improved in terms of consistency and clear connections between references in the reference list and in the text (see comment of Leo). I recommend to think about open questions that can be investigated by scientific approaches. Also, think about specific strategies of communicating about and implementation of mangrove restoration in Nigeria.
I like the topic that you chose and how you relate it to the scientific literature. The story that you tell is coherent and backed up by the papers that you found. However, it is currently missing an ending: please make explicit how the effects and concepts documented in the literature pertain to your specific poster. Be absolutely clear on this relationship, as that will alleviate also some of the issues that Simone outlined. Finally, please cite all references that you give in the reference list in the text, attached to specific statements. A reference that only exists in the ref. list is not worth much as it remains completely unclear which statement in the text is related to it.
This is a nice and pertinent topic for a poster. Please explain, based on the references, the terms “blue carbon”, and “transdisciplinarity”., and “grass roots engagement”. What is the evidence-base for the claim that collaborative practice is more suitable to research and shape a sustainable mangrove future? Please further look at the literature. Also give a reference for the claims made in the first paragraph.