DOHA: Students of Qatar University (QU)’s College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) had a field trip to the mangrove and salt marsh ecosystems at Al Khor and Al Dhakeera. The trip was aimed at raising awareness among youngsters studying sustainable development.
It was held in conjunction with Unesco Office in Doha. Fifteen students from various CAS departments studying sustainable development led by Qatar Shell Professorial Chair for Sustainable Development at QU Prof Mohamed Ajmal Khan took part.
The visit focused on basic mangrove ecology, the importance of ecosystems in biodiversity conservation, re-creation, and carbon sequestration.
Before the excursion to Al Khor and Al Dhakeera, the students attended a 30-minute presentation on ‘Floating mangroves for carbon sequestration’ by Unesco Doha Office Ecological Sciences Adviser – Arab Region Dr Benno Boer.
“Our students were provided with valuable information on the significance of protecting coastal ecosystem and its impact on Qatar’s sustainable development by Dr Boer who is an expert on this issue. During the trip, they were able to see and touch mangroves and collecting litter was a way of sending a message on the necessity of keeping our ecosystem in good health,” said Prof Khan.
The students heard that mangroves play a major global role in climate change mitigation, and protection against coastal erosion. The human impact was also highlighted as causing loss of mangrove habitat due to coastal development projects, oil spillage, and pollution by solid waste such as plastic, aluminium, and glass.
The students carried out a 15-minute exercise, collecting dumped litter of 20 glass bottles, glass-fragments of six bottles, 53 aluminium cans, five large aluminium food trays, 45 plastic bottles, 30 other items such as bags and wrappers, 25kg of fish nets and nylon-ropes. Fish nets, also known as ghost nets, contribute to killing a significant number of fish, crabs, as well as marine turtles, dugongs, and dolphins.
CAS Dean Dr Eiman Mustafawi said: “This trip is an example of our continued effort towards providing students in the College of Arts and Sciences with hands-on experience. For this particular topic, it is very important for them to connect what they learn in the classroom with real-life applications in their own country.”
Student Shaima Sherif said: “The trip opened my eyes to a whole new biodiversity I never knew existed. It was shocking to see such beautiful places in the middle of a desert — it is an image that I want the outside world to focus on. I was not only able to witness the hidden treasures of Qatar but also understand first-hand the importance of the Qatari mangroves in sustainable development.”
The Peninsula
