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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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