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NATURE CONSERVATION MASTER’S

RESEARCH IN THE SPOTLIGHT

MUT’s Nature Conservation

graduates sink their teeth

into research

M

UT’s Master of Nature Conservation graduates

are shining a light on the value of research and

uncovering crucial new knowledge in this very

important sector. Conducting research during a pandemic

could not have been easy for the thirteen researchers who

graduated at MUT’s virtual ceremony on 19 June 2021. The

graduates explored a range of research topics whose findings

are set to contribute to local knowledge and decision-

making. Among the research undertaken by the MUT Class

of 2021 were studies on climate change, water scarcity and a

review of South Africa’s conservation laws. In this publication

we share a synopsis of our researchers who are putting our

institution in a great position to grow its postgraduate studies.

A review of conservation laws

in the Republic of South Africa

– Vanrooi Moreki

T

he project aimed to review the existing legislation and

policies pertaining to conservation of ecosystems and

species in South Africa, in order to assess the data

published in South Africa on its ecosystem and species threat and

loss. In so doing, it attempted to determine whether the purpose

and goal of the policies are being met, as well as the effectiveness

of the policies and procedures in conservation of ecosystems

and species. The intended objectives present an overview of

environmental pressures on South African biodiversity and further

give a clear description on the regulatory enforcement procedures.

The effect of climate change on the

eco-physiological functioning of

the Blue Carbon mangrove species,

Avicennia marina

on the Umgeni

River Estuary

– Ganesan Govender

T

he effects of climate change pose severe risks to

coastal environments. The most striking of these is

sea level rise, which threatens the welfare of coastal

inhabitants, ecosystems and infrastructure and also magnifies

the impacts of coastal storms. Efforts to curtail the impacts of

climate change have thus become topical. Mangrove forests

seemingly have a major role to play in negating the effects of

climate change. The current study sought to provide insight

into the role that mangrove forests play in reducing the effects

of climate change and provides management strategies to

successfully conserve these valuable species. Mangrove

forests have profound adaptations that allow them to

significantly reduce the planet’s atmospheric carbon content

as displayed by the high CO

2

assimilation in this investigation

by the blue carbon species,

Avicennia marina

. They also

display prolific mechanical resilience, thereby protecting

coastlines. However, an evaluation of mangrove ecology at

the Umgeni River estuary suggested that mangrove species

have migrated upstream over the past 20 years. Sea level rise

will result in the loss of these species as they will not be able

to adapt to the change in conditions. This research project

proposes the effective management and propagation of

these species, to ensure the maintenance of the integrity of

this important ecosystem in Durban as a model that may be

adapted throughout the world.

M U T A L U M N I M A G A Z I N E

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