TDA-IME Project Final Report June, 2013 constituents (e.g. Tomlinson, 1986; Saenger, 2002; Hogarth, 2007). But obviously there are still gaps in knowledge on several major aspects of mangrove biology and ecology that are important to transboundary mangrove management, especially: plant genetics, species distribution, phenology and seed dispersal; life cycles of mangrove-associated aquatic species; mangrove-associated marine migratory species; and mangrove-coastal fishery linkages. Specific research and information needs are listed in the Causal Chain Analysis (see Section 5). The broader issues relating to information, and how it is being used/not used to support policy development and public awareness about mangroves, include the following: 1. The implications of climate change for mangroves are the over-riding research and 60 information issues of today. 2. The application of knowledge to improve the results of mangrove restoration/rehabilitation efforts is also much needed. It is also apparent that even the most basic information on the status and distribution of mangroves is inadequate (Giri et al., 2010). In particular, the data on mangrove area rarely include any qualitative information on the state of health, or degradation, of the mangrove forest. This information is vital for planning mangrove restoration/rehabilitation on a transboundary scale, yet is almost completely lacking, or not readily available. 3. While more research is obviously desirable, the need to improve knowledge management is just as important, and even more so when seen from the policy perspective. The priority is for better information-sharing and communication on mangrove-related issues at all levels, from policy-makers, to local government and the general public. (This is revealed strongly from the analysis of scientific research and knowledge management needs: see Table 23). Relating to knowledge management, the Causal Chain Analysis (Section 5) identifies insufficient or ineffective knowledge dissemination as a common immediate cause of poor mangrove planting success. Exactly the same conclusions have been reached by MFF from five years of implementing coastal resources management projects involving multiple stakeholders (MFF, 2012). Consequently, there is a need to educate and build capacity, not only for research, but also for communicating and using the existing knowledge on mangrove ecosystems more effectively in management. In particular, this includes the need to better integrate scientific and traditional knowledge, which is a fundamental requirement for the involvement of local communities in mangrove ecosystem management. The following sub-sections expand on these important issues and conclusions. They are based on the Causal Chain Analysis and other outputs from the TDA-IME Project workshops; the review of mangrove ecosystems in Indochina (Section 2 of this report); plus experiences from MFF and other regional programs involved in coastal management. Gaps in Scientific knowledge This is an almost limitless topic where mangrove ecosystems are concerned, so the focus of the TDA-IME Project was confined to consideration of the scientific research gaps relating to mangroves at the transboundary scale, especially: Distribution and status of all near threatened to endangered mangrove species in Indochina. Research to better predict the likely responses of mangroves to climate change. Research to document and quantify, both ecologically and economically, the potential roles of mangroves in relation to climate change adaptation and mitigation, as part of an ecosystem-based approach to coastal management.
Transboundary Diagnostic Analysis of Indochina Mangrove Ecosystems
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