Seychelles National Parks Authority Aspects of Research First Pan-African Conference on Sustainable Tourism Management in African National Parks and Protected Areas: Challenges and Opportunities 15-18 th October, 2012 Arusha, Tanzania Sylvanna Antha Seychelles National Parks Authority
Organisational Arrangement
Research and Monitoring Carry out Research, Projects and Monitoring. Seychelles Centre for Marine Research and Technology 2001 2010- Incorporate both Marine and Terrestrial Research
Roles and Responsibilities Promote and develop terrestrial, coastal and marine scientific research in the Seychelles Implement and provide technical/logistical support for implementation of terrestrial, coastal and marine scientific research Manage and analyse data Collaborate on publication of projects outcomes/findings in journals/media Acquire funding for research projects Develop partnership, links and capacity building - NGOs, Universities, partners, scientific and environmental organisations Assist in the development of guidelines, regulations and legislations for the conservation and sustainable use of biological resources, according to international agreements/conventions
Research Initiatives Linking marine research and environmental management to education Improving the quality of services offered SNPA and Private Sector partnership for involvement in management and cost sharing Acquiring funds for publication of Educational Materials for Terrestrial and Marine National Park Capacity building to improve management e.g. Dive training for staffs Increasing participation in environmental management on the regional and international level. Encourage, advise and assist other government departments in carrying out marine environmental education and conservation campaigns
Completed Projects Current pattern of variability in nutrient availability Plankton sampling within MPAs Impact of tsunami on coral reefs Commensalism between corals and crabs Promoting coral reef recovery through substrate stabilization Shallow benthic communities of Southern Seychelles Grazing pressure on corals Functional ecology of Seychelles flora Ecological and genetic processes underlying Allee effects among plant populations in the context of divergent population histories
Ongoing Projects Beach Profile Mapping Turtle Monitoring/ Tortoise Census Scientific Presentations Theme Day Activities Projects with Earth watch and ZSL and other universities and partners (e.g. Curieuse Coral Reef Survey, EDGE Coral Research) Demarcation of MPAs and mooring Upgrade of education and awareness materials in museum Rehabilitation of mangrove forest in Curieuse MNP Snorkeling and Diving programmes for schoolchildren Habitat restoration of Seychelles Glacis Assessing impact of restoration work on ecosystems, using plant animal interaction Quantifying impact of habitat restoration on the ecosystem integrity using complex pollination network analysis (with Aarhus University and University of Zurich) Building capacity in organisations and communities for conservation of species and habitats (PCA, NHM, Université Libre de Bruxelles) Mainstreaming the management of invasive alien species to preserve the ecological integrity and enhance the resilience of Seychelles World Heritage Sites (SIF, DoE)
The way forward Funding for projects Partnerships universities, National Parks Collaboration and MoUs with Universities e.g. sampling, DNA analyses Opportunities for exchange Training of trainers reduce cost and improve on capacity Capacity building monitoring methods, scientific analyses techniques
Conclusion SNPA undertakes terrestrial, coastal and marine research work Work closely with the government to ensure conservation of Pas and associated biodiversity In order to improve on its work capacity building, increased collaboration and partnership, funding opportunities
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