SCIENTIFIC FOCUS: The course focuses primarily on mangrove ecosystems while maintaining an integrated approach towards management of coastal ecosystems. Particular emphasis will be given to teaching the methodology for assessing, monitoring and conserving biodiversity in mangrove ecosystems. This is achieved through a multidisciplinary team of lecturers and through hands-on involvement of the participants. Click here for: COURSE SYLLABUS

BACKGROUND: Coastal zones are an important part of our environment that currently provide living space for about 55 percent of the world's population. Our society draws heavily on coastal and marine ecosystems for food, building sites, transportation, recreation and waste disposal. Coastal ecosystems (e.g., coral reefs, mangroves, and wetlands) are also one of the world's richest storehouses of biological diversity and primary productivity. It is estimated that about half of the world's coastal ecosystems face a significant risk of degradation from human activities. In this context, the South and Southeast Asian coastal ecosystems are perhaps among the most threatened regions.

Further information can be found in a background Paper Training and Capacity Building for Managing Our Mangroves Resources - UNU's Role to Meet Regional Challenges (pdf 23.1KB).

COURSE OBJECTIVES: The main objective of the Training Course is to build the capacity of professionals and institutions in developing countries to undertake monitoring, research and conservation of critical coastal ecosystems within mangrove forests. This is achieved through training of young professionals in the scientific methodology and description of latest research work on related subjects. A secondary objective is to promote and encourage development of a network of professionals from developing countries working in this field. The Mangroves course has also been developed as an open course ware as part of an open learning initiative with UNU, Tokyo.

This course is available at: http://ocw.unu.edu/international-network-on-water-environment-and-health/

APPLICATION FORMS: available on this website or can be requested directly from:

Dr. K. Kathiresan
Professor, CAS in Marine Biology
Annamalai University, Parangipettai - 608 502, Tamil Nadu, India
Tel: 91 - 4144 - 243223 (Off), 238419 (Res.)
Fax: 91 - 4144 - 243555

Course Application Form (MS Word file) (PDF file)

FELLOWSHIPS: A limited number of fellowships are available to qualified candidates from developing countries only. These fellowships will be granted on a competitive basis and will cover the entire expenses of the workshop, including economy excursion airfares via the most direct route for candidates from outside India. Candidates from India will be reimbursed for train tickets via the most direct route. In order to qualify for these fellowships, completed Fellowship Application forms must be submitted along with the Course Application. These forms can be downloaded in PDF from this website - the form has 8 pages.

Fellowship Form (Page 1) (Page 2) (Page 3) (Page 4) (Page 5) (Page 6) (Page 7) (Page 8)