Thesis defence by Setondé Constant Gnansounou

Title: Enhancing the Sustainable Use and Resilience of Mangroves in the Anthropocene: An Integrative Social-Ecological Approach

Abstract:
Mangroves play an important role in environmental conservation and livelihood provision yet remain one of the most threatened ecosystems on earth. This doctoral study investigates pathways to enhance coastal sustainability in the Anthropocene, by analysing how to enhance the sustainable use of mangroves and strengthen their social-ecological resilience through an interdisciplinary approach. The these is structured into four specific objectives: (1) assessing the role of traditional beliefs and local deities in promoting the sustainable use of mangroves, (2) analysing the synergies between legal frameworks and traditional beliefs in enhancing the social-ecological resilience of mangroves, (3) developing a novel interdisciplinary framework to evaluate the social-ecological resilience of mangroves, and (4) operationalizing the proposed framework in Benin’s mangroves, West Africa. Data were collected using ethnobiological surveys, drone image analysis, document review, in-depth interviews, plant and fish inventories, and focus group discussions across three coastal communities in Benin. The study draws insights from the seven principles of resilience to conduct interdisciplinary research on mangrove sustainability, linking plant biology, fisheries sciences, and human geography. Findings show that traditional beliefs and local deities play a significant role in regulating the use of mangrove resources, while the overlapping of formal and informal institutions offer opportunities to enhance their social-ecological resilience. The novel proposed framework called Mangrove Social Ecological Resilience Appraisal (MaSERA) outlines variables and indicators tailored to mangroves to assess their social-ecological resilience. Its application in Benin highlights its potential in identifying factors that erode or enhance mangrove resilience. The study argues that promoting the sustainable use of mangroves and enhancing their social-ecological resilience represents dual imperatives for achieving coastal sustainability in the Anthropocene. The research contributes to the growing body of knowledge on mangrove conservation, resilience and sustainability science, and provides insights for integrated coastal zone management.

Constant will present the results of his PhD thesis, conducted in the Geography Department AND the Biology Department (URBE), under the supervision of Sabine Henry & Patrick Kestemont. His research is an interdisciplinary project, fully integrating geographical and biological aspects and methodologies. This work was financed by UNamur, an ILEE Project Grant as well as the FUCID via a collaborative programme "Uni4Coop", undertaken by the four French-speaking university NGOs.

Link Agenda UNamur