A citizen science project starting in September is looking into the impact extreme weather events are having on Australia’s mangrove populations.
The Mangrove Project is examining 10 locations within Australia that have been impacted by the recent El Niño phenomenon and other major climate shifts.
In collaboration with the University of Western Australia and Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS), Esri Australia is hoping to bring nationwide awareness to why mangroves are important and how the community can protect them.
Esri Australia senior science advisor Jennah Williams, who is a leader of project, said people do not think about mangroves as vital ecosystems.
“We need to make sure people are a little bit more aware that these ecosystems need protecting just as much as coral reefs, if not more so,” Williams said.
“People tend to disregard them.”
University of Western Australia lecturer Dr Sharyn Hickey said mangroves were a globally important ecosystem.
“They provide significant ecosystem services such as habitats for fisheries, sequester and store blue carbon and provide coastline protection,” she said.
Williams said people care about protecting the Great Barrier Reef because it is pretty, but the colourful fish people love grow up in mangroves.
“Mangroves are not very sexy,” she said.
“We’re making them a little more desirable to the population than what they currently are.”
Esri is doing this using ArcGIS software, Survey 123, where citizen scientists collect data on their phones by filling out surveys and taking pictures of the mangroves.
This data goes back to AIMS and the University of Western Australia for analysis into how the mangroves have been impacted.
The project has received minimal funding and relies on community participation.
Williams said she encourages schoolchildren to get involved.
“When people don’t realise the significance they’re not as forthcoming with funding,” she said.
“If everyone is coming to the same conclusion it makes those in power listen more.”
