As part of the LIFE Adapt’ Island project, our terrestrial environment project manager Cléo Baron took part in the 6th MMM6 conference in Cartagena de Indias, Colombia.
THE LIFE ADAPT’ISLAND PROJECT TOOK PART IN THE 6TH MMM6 CONFERENCE IN CARTAGENA DE INDIA, COLOMBIA
The 6th edition of the “Mangrove, Macrobenthos, Management” (MMM6) conferences took place at the University of Cartagena, Colombia from July 24 to 28, 2023. This is a world-renowned gathering of researchers and stakeholders dedicated to mangrove conservation, and our Land Environments project manager Cléo Baron was present.
The theme of this sixth edition was “Mangrove ecosystems for human well-being in a changing planet”, and brought together over 350 stakeholders from more than 40 countries on five continents, making it the first MMM conference to be held in Latin America. Indeed, Colombia’s mangroves are found in both the Caribbean and on the country’s eastern Pacific coast.
A FULL WEEK-LONG PROGRAM
A total of 18 sessions took place during the event, in addition to lunches and a day devoted to visiting the city. Each session featured between 5 and 7 12-minute power point presentations, with 3 minutes for questions from the floor. Lightning talk” sessions presented around 15 posters in 3 minutes, without support. Abstracts were pre-selected prior to the conference. The poster sessions featured around 100 posters, with free presentation and/or questions.
Six themes were addressed:
- Protecting and restoring biodiversity in mangrove forests
- Understanding and tackling marine pollution in swamp forests
- Achieving sustainable and equitable socio-economic development
- Unlocking nature-based solutions, expanding Global Mangrove Observing Systems and using innovative new technologies
- Expand Global Mangrove Observing Systems and implement technological innovations and inclusive education to raise awareness
- Changing the relationship between people and mangroves
- Numerous topics were addressed, focusing on different scales such as ecophysiology, blue carbon, awareness-raising and participatory science.
THE LIFE ADAPT’ISLAND PROJECT, PRESENT TO MAKE THE CASE FOR NATURE-BASED SOLUTIONS
The main objective was to present and discuss research advances, propose future conservation and management actions, and advocate Nature-based Solutions. At the beginning of 2023, our Land Environment Officer submitted an abstract which was chosen to be presented as a poster during session 15, on theme 5 “Unlocking climate action and implementing mangrove-based solutions to climate change”. The poster presents LIFE actions, as well as the environmental policy and work carried out by the GPMG as manager of mangrove areas in Guadeloupe.
In addition, the project manager was given the opportunity to give a lightning talk, attended by around a hundred listeners and attracting even greater interest. During this lightning talk, the focus was on the possibilities of a port authority as a mangrove manager. Actions were outlined succinctly. In the end, more than thirty people came to see the poster and learn more about our actions, particularly the technical and operational aspects, as well as the ecosystem, economic and social aspects.
In addition, other organizations working on technical aspects of mangrove conservation were able to get in touch with the LIFE Adapt’Island project. And we’re continuing to exchange information with them via an online platform.
In conclusion, this 5-day conference brought together several lines of research on different scales. Most of the oral presentations and posters showcased ongoing research or its results.
The next MMM7 conference will be co-organized by TBRC, the University of Ryükyü and ISME, in Japan (Okinawa), in summer 2026.
Would you like to download the poster of our Land Environment Project Manager? Click here to download
