A new international scientific collaboration starts from Italy for the study and protection of the mangroves of the Maldives and the United Arab Emirates. The task force for the protection of these fragile ecosystems sees the University of Milan-Bicocca and the Genoa Aquarium at the forefront, together with the National University of the Maldives and the University of Dubai.
The project coordinated by Paolo Galli, professor of ecology at the University of Milan-Bicocca, aims to study mangroves in a multidisciplinary way, unique ecosystems in the world that provide habitat for numerous marine and terrestrial species, protect the coasts from erosion, they play a key role in mitigating the damage caused by hurricanes and, by absorbing large quantities of carbon from the atmosphere, they contribute to the fight against climate change. To date, scientific knowledge of these ecosystems is extremely scarce and fragmented and risks disappearing within a few decades due to infrastructural development, plastic pollution and land conversion.
The first stage of the study and conservation process, already carried out in 2023, was the mapping and scientific review on the state of health and conservation of the mangrove forests of the Maldives, from which the presence of mangrove forests emerged in 108 islands out of a total of approximately 1,200 islands of the archipelago, recording 14 different species of mangroves, one of which is in danger of extinction. In nature, we will try to identify the Maldivian islands that hold the last unexplored mangroves so that protection actions can be taken. Particular attention will be paid to the presence of micro and nano plastics, thanks to the collaboration with the Maldives National University.
With the aim of extending the project to the United Arab Emirates, particular studies will be carried out by the University of Dubai to estimate the risk of sea level rise which threatens the mangroves.
A dedicated area has been opened at the Genoa Aquarium with a tank that reproduces a small portion of mangrove grove where dissemination activities and scientific research will be carried out, for example on the possibility of extracting new biomolecules from mangroves for cosmetic or pharmaceutical use.