Mandela University Estuarine Ecology

This week, Prof Janine Adams and doctoral student Priscah Lakane presented at Nelson Mandela University's Annual Postgraduate Orientation programme. ‍👩‍🔬

They shared their perspective on "Building Successful Supervisory Relationships: Perspectives from Both Sides of the Desk". 📝

Happy birthday Sarah! 🥳 Have a wonderful day 🎂🌊

This week, Prof Adams will be presenting with the eThekwini Biodiversity Forum on strengthening coastal resilience through mangrove conservation. 🌱🌊

Prof Adams' talk will focus on "The conservation and restoration of mangroves in South Africa: Alignment with global objectives". 🌍 Healthy mangrove habitats provide numerous vital ecosystem services that we are dependent on, including blue carbon storage, coastal protection, biodiversity provision, and supporting local livelihoods. 🦀🌿

We look forward to hearing more on this important topic!

This study reviewed the role of macrofauna as bioturbators in tidal wetlands. 🦀🌴These animals act as ecosystem engineers that can affect the geomorphology and biogeochemistry of tidal wetlands, influencing accretion and erosion processes by either stabilizing or destabilizing sediment. Through this, they can also influence the amount of carbon that can be stored in these important Blue Carbon ecosystems. 🌱

This meta-analysis assessed the current knowledge on the role benthic bioturbators play in shaping sediment processes in tidal wetlands linked to carbon storage. This will have important implications for the conservation and restoration of these vital ecosystems. 🌊

📌 Check it out here:
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0272771426004749?casa_token=slXmH73bcy8AAAAA:xsSbXxkD2kwWPemj0ENQTRtf9Xk_gGodUkFTEGAMQH73EImbHZCgy4Il4xpQGqYcaujUOOyDksE

🌊 Women move oceans.

Today, 09 August 2026, the Institute for Coastal and Marine Research (CMR) celebrates the women who are making waves across the coastal and marine sector, from the laboratory to the shoreline, from research vessels to classrooms, and from scientific discovery to the communities whose lives are connected to our ocean.

As South Africa commemorates 70 years since the historic 1956 Women’s March, we reflect on the courage of the women who stood together and helped shape our country's future. Seven decades later, women continue to lead, discover, challenge, innovate and inspire... ✨

To every woman contributing to our ocean story, researcher, student, scientist, educator, practitioner, leader or community member, your work matters.

Because when women are empowered, possibilities expand, and the future of our ocean becomes stronger. 💙

Happy National Women’s Day!

Nelson Mandela University | Ocean Sciences.Mandela | Mandela University Estuarine Ecology

Today we celebrate MPA Day! 🌍

Marine protected areas are the national parks of the sea. 🌊 When they are well managed, marine life recovers. Fish populations grow. Coral rebounds. Ecosystems rebuild. The science is clear: MPAs deliver measurable results for biodiversity and for the communities who depend on healthy oceans. 🐟🪸🌱

MPAs help coastal communities stay safe by preserving mangroves and kelp forests that reduce storm damage and erosion. They safeguard cultural heritage and national monuments that communities identify with and pass on to future generations. They also support food security and jobs. When we protect the ocean, we protect ourselves. 🌴🌍

And that is a wrap on National Science Month 2026! 🥳

We hope you enjoyed learning more about the young researchers in the SWE team at NMU, and the important research they are doing in South African environments. 🌊🌍🌱

🌿 National Science Month 2026 🌍

Meet Priscah, a final year PhD candidate at Nelson Mandela University.

Priscah’s research focuses on the distribution and drivers of eutrophication symptoms in South African estuaries🏞️, specifically harmful algal blooms and invasive alien aquatic plants (IAAPs) 🪷🪻. Her work aims to shed light on the ongoing global change pressures facing our estuaries, with a strong focus on monitoring.

This matters now more than ever. A growing number of South African estuaries are showing signs of degradation, and effective management depends on understanding where these problems are occurring and what is driving them. Priscah’s research contributes exactly that kind of insight, helping build the evidence base that managers and decision makers need to protect these vital ecosystems. 🌱🌊

Happy birthday to Dr Célia Macamo! 🤩 We hope you have a wonderful day 🎉🌱