{"id":20757,"date":"2015-06-03T20:51:43","date_gmt":"2015-06-03T08:51:43","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/nzcfs.adminmouse.co.nz\/?p=20757"},"modified":"2015-11-11T19:08:19","modified_gmt":"2015-11-11T06:08:19","slug":"chinas-mangrove-forests-a-study-on-their-conservation-by-one-of-our-young-ambassadors","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/nzchinasociety.org.nz\/chinas-mangrove-forests-a-study-on-their-conservation-by-one-of-our-young-ambassadors\/","title":{"rendered":"China\u2019s Mangrove Forests &#8211; A study on their conservation by one of our Young Ambassadors"},"content":{"rendered":"<figure id=\"attachment_20769\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-20769\" style=\"width: 250px\" class=\"wp-caption alignleft\"><a href=\"http:\/\/nzchinasociety.org.nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/05\/Mining-sand-and-gravel-within-protected-mangrove-reserve.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-20769\" src=\"http:\/\/nzchinasociety.org.nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/05\/Mining-sand-and-gravel-within-protected-mangrove-reserve-250x188.jpg\" alt=\"Mining sand and gravel within the protected  Fujiang Jiulongjiangkou Mangrove Provincial Reserve, Fujian Province\" width=\"250\" height=\"188\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-20769\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Mining sand and gravel within the protected Fujiang Jiulongjiangkou Mangrove Provincial Reserve, Fujian Province<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>For millennia, the Chinese people have been more concerned with poverty-alleviation (survival!) and wealth creation, to the detriment of their environment. But now, some of the world\u2019s most profound environmental changes are under way in China.<\/p>\n<p>The country\u2019s large population, rapid economic development and the demand for natural resources, are putting\u00a0huge pressure on the marine environment (the particular focus of this article): many areas are heavily polluted by agriculture, industry, and effects from coastal cities. \u00a0Over-fishing has caused the decline, collapse or even the regional extinction of many species. \u00a0This has severe social implications in a developing country.<\/p>\n<p>Since the 1950s, 45% of China\u2019s mangrove forest cover has been lost, which has caused a decline\u00a0in regional biodiversity &#8211; including benthic (sea-bottom-living) animals, birds and fishes.<\/p>\n<p>Mangrove forests are unique and diverse ecosystems: \u00a0<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>They protect sea grasses and <a href=\"http:\/\/www.livescience.com\/25870-china-coral-reefs.html\">coral reefs<\/a> by retaining sediment and nutrients from the surrounding environment; \u00a0<\/li>\n<li>They support unique biological diversity (including several endangered reptiles, birds and mammals); \u00a0<\/li>\n<li>They protect land from storm and small tsunami damage, and<\/li>\n<li>They provide local communities with fish, construction material and fuel.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Unfortunately, this is not always reflected in the value people place on them.<\/p>\n<p>In China, mangroves still face many threats, including wastewater discharge, oil pollution, biological invasion and insect outbreak. \u00a0But efforts to reduce these threats are being undertaken\u00a0and in the last few decades rapid progress has been made. Up to\u00a02009, 34 mangrove nature reserves have been established\u00a0and these\u00a0cover\u00a080% of the total area of mangroves in China. This is a significant achievement.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_20759\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-20759\" style=\"width: 196px\" class=\"wp-caption alignleft\"><a href=\"http:\/\/nzchinasociety.org.nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/05\/Deborah-Robertson-Photo.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-20759\" src=\"http:\/\/nzchinasociety.org.nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/05\/Deborah-Robertson-Photo.jpg\" alt=\"Deborah Robertson\" width=\"196\" height=\"174\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-20759\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Deborah Robertson<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Deborah Robertson, one of the <a href=\"http:\/\/nzchinasociety.org.nz\/15769\/the-2014-class-of-nzcfs-youth-friendship-ambassadors\/\">NZCFS Youth Friendship Ambassadors in 2014<\/a>, spent 6 weeks from late June to early August, in two areas of mangrove forest in and near Xiamen, Fujian Province. \u00a0[Deborah had previously studied\u00a0marine conservation at Victoria University, Wellington NZ, and also spent 3 months in Zanzibar, E. Africa, interviewing women and girls there to study gender equality.]\u00a0<\/p>\n<p><span lang=\"EN-US\">Deborah set out to study and understand the people\u2019s attitude to mangrove forests in Fu Gong Village, adjacent to Fujiang Jiulongjiangkou Provincial Reserve, and at Yundang Lake within Xiamen City, where new mangroves have been planted. (For a location map, click <a href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/maps\/d\/edit?mid=zUBvdSVA_sL0.ky-3N4YWr0TE\" target=\"_blank\">HERE<\/a>). \u00a0She got seventy Fujian Province residents to complete a questionnaire. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span lang=\"EN-US\">Her study found:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>There is general awareness of mangrove forest services, and major threats to them, although Fu Gong residents (living next to the reserve) have a higher level of environmental knowledge.<\/li>\n<li>96% of people surveyed believe all mangrove forests should be protected, and mixed results were received on whether limited\/sustainable use should be allowed.<\/li>\n<li>Most people think that more mangrove trees should be planted.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Deborah also got involved with a group of young people of the China Mangrove Conservation Network who plant mangroves along the southern coast of China, to re-establish forests. (In 2013, 1100 China Mangrove Conservation Network volunteers planted almost 180,000 mangrove plants and 90 people undertook volunteer environmental monitoring in the Xiamen area).<strong>\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Deborah had also planned to do similar work in Hainan. However, a very violent storm during her stay meant that flights were cancelled and infrastructure affected, making Deborah\u2019s contacts too busy with the affects of the storm.<\/p>\n<p>Strict protocols for foreigners also meant that she was unable to visit some nature reserves, but she did build up good relationships with NGO workers and university and scientific staff. All in all, she completed the task that she set out to do and learned a lot about the on-going problem of mangrove preservation in China.<\/p>\n<div id='gallery-1' class='gallery galleryid-20757 gallery-columns-3 gallery-size-thumbnail'><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/nzchinasociety.org.nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/05\/Planting-day-with-CMCN.jpg' title=\"\" data-rl_title=\"\" class=\"rl-gallery-link\" data-rl_caption=\"\" data-rel=\"lightbox-gallery-1\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"230\" height=\"150\" src=\"https:\/\/nzchinasociety.org.nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/05\/Planting-day-with-CMCN-230x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-1-20771\" srcset=\"https:\/\/nzchinasociety.org.nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/05\/Planting-day-with-CMCN-230x150.jpg 230w, https:\/\/nzchinasociety.org.nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/05\/Planting-day-with-CMCN-350x228.jpg 350w, https:\/\/nzchinasociety.org.nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/05\/Planting-day-with-CMCN-607x395.jpg 607w, https:\/\/nzchinasociety.org.nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/05\/Planting-day-with-CMCN-646x420.jpg 646w, https:\/\/nzchinasociety.org.nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/05\/Planting-day-with-CMCN-300x194.jpg 300w, https:\/\/nzchinasociety.org.nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/05\/Planting-day-with-CMCN-640x416.jpg 640w, https:\/\/nzchinasociety.org.nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/05\/Planting-day-with-CMCN-681x443.jpg 681w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 230px) 100vw, 230px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<figcaption class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-20771'>\n\t\t\t\tVolunteer members of China Mangrove Conservation Network for a planting day\n\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/nzchinasociety.org.nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/05\/Planting-day-at-Yudang-Lake-Xiamen.jpg' title=\"\" data-rl_title=\"\" class=\"rl-gallery-link\" data-rl_caption=\"\" data-rel=\"lightbox-gallery-1\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"230\" height=\"173\" src=\"https:\/\/nzchinasociety.org.nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/05\/Planting-day-at-Yudang-Lake-Xiamen-230x173.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-1-20770\" srcset=\"https:\/\/nzchinasociety.org.nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/05\/Planting-day-at-Yudang-Lake-Xiamen-230x173.jpg 230w, https:\/\/nzchinasociety.org.nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/05\/Planting-day-at-Yudang-Lake-Xiamen-350x263.jpg 350w, https:\/\/nzchinasociety.org.nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/05\/Planting-day-at-Yudang-Lake-Xiamen-527x395.jpg 527w, https:\/\/nzchinasociety.org.nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/05\/Planting-day-at-Yudang-Lake-Xiamen-560x420.jpg 560w, https:\/\/nzchinasociety.org.nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/05\/Planting-day-at-Yudang-Lake-Xiamen-80x60.jpg 80w, https:\/\/nzchinasociety.org.nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/05\/Planting-day-at-Yudang-Lake-Xiamen-100x75.jpg 100w, https:\/\/nzchinasociety.org.nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/05\/Planting-day-at-Yudang-Lake-Xiamen-180x135.jpg 180w, https:\/\/nzchinasociety.org.nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/05\/Planting-day-at-Yudang-Lake-Xiamen-238x178.jpg 238w, https:\/\/nzchinasociety.org.nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/05\/Planting-day-at-Yudang-Lake-Xiamen-640x480.jpg 640w, https:\/\/nzchinasociety.org.nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/05\/Planting-day-at-Yudang-Lake-Xiamen-681x511.jpg 681w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 230px) 100vw, 230px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<figcaption class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-20770'>\n\t\t\t\tPlanting day at Longhai Mangrove Nature Reserve, Xiamen\n\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/nzchinasociety.org.nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/05\/Mining-sand-and-gravel-within-protected-mangrove-reserve.jpg' title=\"\" data-rl_title=\"\" class=\"rl-gallery-link\" data-rl_caption=\"\" data-rel=\"lightbox-gallery-1\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"230\" height=\"173\" src=\"https:\/\/nzchinasociety.org.nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/05\/Mining-sand-and-gravel-within-protected-mangrove-reserve-230x173.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-1-20769\" srcset=\"https:\/\/nzchinasociety.org.nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/05\/Mining-sand-and-gravel-within-protected-mangrove-reserve-230x173.jpg 230w, https:\/\/nzchinasociety.org.nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/05\/Mining-sand-and-gravel-within-protected-mangrove-reserve-350x263.jpg 350w, https:\/\/nzchinasociety.org.nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/05\/Mining-sand-and-gravel-within-protected-mangrove-reserve-527x395.jpg 527w, https:\/\/nzchinasociety.org.nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/05\/Mining-sand-and-gravel-within-protected-mangrove-reserve-560x420.jpg 560w, https:\/\/nzchinasociety.org.nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/05\/Mining-sand-and-gravel-within-protected-mangrove-reserve-80x60.jpg 80w, https:\/\/nzchinasociety.org.nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/05\/Mining-sand-and-gravel-within-protected-mangrove-reserve-100x75.jpg 100w, https:\/\/nzchinasociety.org.nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/05\/Mining-sand-and-gravel-within-protected-mangrove-reserve-180x135.jpg 180w, https:\/\/nzchinasociety.org.nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/05\/Mining-sand-and-gravel-within-protected-mangrove-reserve-238x178.jpg 238w, https:\/\/nzchinasociety.org.nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/05\/Mining-sand-and-gravel-within-protected-mangrove-reserve-640x480.jpg 640w, https:\/\/nzchinasociety.org.nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/05\/Mining-sand-and-gravel-within-protected-mangrove-reserve-681x511.jpg 681w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 230px) 100vw, 230px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<figcaption class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-20769'>\n\t\t\t\tMining sand and gravel within the protected  Fujiang Jiulongjiangkou Mangrove Provincial Reserve, Fujian Province\n\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/nzchinasociety.org.nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/05\/Completing-survey-questionnaires-at-Yundang-Lake-.jpg' title=\"\" data-rl_title=\"\" class=\"rl-gallery-link\" data-rl_caption=\"\" data-rel=\"lightbox-gallery-1\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"230\" height=\"167\" src=\"https:\/\/nzchinasociety.org.nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/05\/Completing-survey-questionnaires-at-Yundang-Lake--230x167.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-1-20766\" srcset=\"https:\/\/nzchinasociety.org.nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/05\/Completing-survey-questionnaires-at-Yundang-Lake--230x167.jpg 230w, https:\/\/nzchinasociety.org.nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/05\/Completing-survey-questionnaires-at-Yundang-Lake--350x255.jpg 350w, https:\/\/nzchinasociety.org.nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/05\/Completing-survey-questionnaires-at-Yundang-Lake--543x395.jpg 543w, https:\/\/nzchinasociety.org.nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/05\/Completing-survey-questionnaires-at-Yundang-Lake--577x420.jpg 577w, https:\/\/nzchinasociety.org.nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/05\/Completing-survey-questionnaires-at-Yundang-Lake--640x466.jpg 640w, https:\/\/nzchinasociety.org.nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/05\/Completing-survey-questionnaires-at-Yundang-Lake--681x496.jpg 681w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 230px) 100vw, 230px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<figcaption class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-20766'>\n\t\t\t\tCompleting survey questionnaires at Yundang Lake, Xiamen, Fujian province\n\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/nzchinasociety.org.nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/05\/China-Mangrove-Conservation-Network-staff-member-showing-me-different-mangrove-species.jpg' title=\"\" data-rl_title=\"\" class=\"rl-gallery-link\" data-rl_caption=\"\" data-rel=\"lightbox-gallery-1\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"230\" height=\"173\" src=\"https:\/\/nzchinasociety.org.nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/05\/China-Mangrove-Conservation-Network-staff-member-showing-me-different-mangrove-species-230x173.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-1-20765\" srcset=\"https:\/\/nzchinasociety.org.nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/05\/China-Mangrove-Conservation-Network-staff-member-showing-me-different-mangrove-species-230x173.jpg 230w, https:\/\/nzchinasociety.org.nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/05\/China-Mangrove-Conservation-Network-staff-member-showing-me-different-mangrove-species-350x263.jpg 350w, https:\/\/nzchinasociety.org.nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/05\/China-Mangrove-Conservation-Network-staff-member-showing-me-different-mangrove-species-527x395.jpg 527w, https:\/\/nzchinasociety.org.nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/05\/China-Mangrove-Conservation-Network-staff-member-showing-me-different-mangrove-species-560x420.jpg 560w, https:\/\/nzchinasociety.org.nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/05\/China-Mangrove-Conservation-Network-staff-member-showing-me-different-mangrove-species-80x60.jpg 80w, https:\/\/nzchinasociety.org.nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/05\/China-Mangrove-Conservation-Network-staff-member-showing-me-different-mangrove-species-100x75.jpg 100w, https:\/\/nzchinasociety.org.nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/05\/China-Mangrove-Conservation-Network-staff-member-showing-me-different-mangrove-species-180x135.jpg 180w, https:\/\/nzchinasociety.org.nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/05\/China-Mangrove-Conservation-Network-staff-member-showing-me-different-mangrove-species-238x178.jpg 238w, https:\/\/nzchinasociety.org.nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/05\/China-Mangrove-Conservation-Network-staff-member-showing-me-different-mangrove-species-640x480.jpg 640w, https:\/\/nzchinasociety.org.nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/05\/China-Mangrove-Conservation-Network-staff-member-showing-me-different-mangrove-species-681x511.jpg 681w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 230px) 100vw, 230px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<figcaption class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-20765'>\n\t\t\t\tChina Mangrove Conservation Network staff member showing different mangrove species to Deborah \n\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/nzchinasociety.org.nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/05\/Fu-Gong-Village-near-Xiamen.jpg' title=\"\" data-rl_title=\"\" class=\"rl-gallery-link\" data-rl_caption=\"\" data-rel=\"lightbox-gallery-1\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"230\" height=\"173\" src=\"https:\/\/nzchinasociety.org.nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/05\/Fu-Gong-Village-near-Xiamen-230x173.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-1-20768\" srcset=\"https:\/\/nzchinasociety.org.nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/05\/Fu-Gong-Village-near-Xiamen-230x173.jpg 230w, https:\/\/nzchinasociety.org.nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/05\/Fu-Gong-Village-near-Xiamen-350x263.jpg 350w, https:\/\/nzchinasociety.org.nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/05\/Fu-Gong-Village-near-Xiamen-527x395.jpg 527w, https:\/\/nzchinasociety.org.nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/05\/Fu-Gong-Village-near-Xiamen-560x420.jpg 560w, https:\/\/nzchinasociety.org.nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/05\/Fu-Gong-Village-near-Xiamen-80x60.jpg 80w, https:\/\/nzchinasociety.org.nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/05\/Fu-Gong-Village-near-Xiamen-100x75.jpg 100w, https:\/\/nzchinasociety.org.nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/05\/Fu-Gong-Village-near-Xiamen-180x135.jpg 180w, https:\/\/nzchinasociety.org.nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/05\/Fu-Gong-Village-near-Xiamen-238x178.jpg 238w, https:\/\/nzchinasociety.org.nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/05\/Fu-Gong-Village-near-Xiamen-640x480.jpg 640w, https:\/\/nzchinasociety.org.nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/05\/Fu-Gong-Village-near-Xiamen-681x511.jpg 681w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 230px) 100vw, 230px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<figcaption class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-20768'>\n\t\t\t\tFu Gong Village [Fugongzhen], near Xiamen\n\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/nzchinasociety.org.nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/05\/Tai-O-village-on-approach-to-Lantau-International-airport-Hong-Kong.jpg' title=\"\" data-rl_title=\"\" class=\"rl-gallery-link\" data-rl_caption=\"\" data-rel=\"lightbox-gallery-1\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"230\" height=\"171\" src=\"https:\/\/nzchinasociety.org.nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/05\/Tai-O-village-on-approach-to-Lantau-International-airport-Hong-Kong-230x171.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-1-20772\" srcset=\"https:\/\/nzchinasociety.org.nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/05\/Tai-O-village-on-approach-to-Lantau-International-airport-Hong-Kong-230x171.jpg 230w, https:\/\/nzchinasociety.org.nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/05\/Tai-O-village-on-approach-to-Lantau-International-airport-Hong-Kong-350x260.jpg 350w, https:\/\/nzchinasociety.org.nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/05\/Tai-O-village-on-approach-to-Lantau-International-airport-Hong-Kong-531x395.jpg 531w, https:\/\/nzchinasociety.org.nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/05\/Tai-O-village-on-approach-to-Lantau-International-airport-Hong-Kong-565x420.jpg 565w, https:\/\/nzchinasociety.org.nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/05\/Tai-O-village-on-approach-to-Lantau-International-airport-Hong-Kong-80x60.jpg 80w, https:\/\/nzchinasociety.org.nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/05\/Tai-O-village-on-approach-to-Lantau-International-airport-Hong-Kong-100x75.jpg 100w, https:\/\/nzchinasociety.org.nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/05\/Tai-O-village-on-approach-to-Lantau-International-airport-Hong-Kong-180x135.jpg 180w, https:\/\/nzchinasociety.org.nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/05\/Tai-O-village-on-approach-to-Lantau-International-airport-Hong-Kong-238x178.jpg 238w, https:\/\/nzchinasociety.org.nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/05\/Tai-O-village-on-approach-to-Lantau-International-airport-Hong-Kong-640x476.jpg 640w, https:\/\/nzchinasociety.org.nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/05\/Tai-O-village-on-approach-to-Lantau-International-airport-Hong-Kong-681x507.jpg 681w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 230px) 100vw, 230px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<figcaption class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-20772'>\n\t\t\t\tTai O village, Hong Kong, on approach to Lan Tau International Airport\n\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/nzchinasociety.org.nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/Tai-O-fishing-village-Hong-Kong.jpg' title=\"\" data-rl_title=\"\" class=\"rl-gallery-link\" data-rl_caption=\"\" data-rel=\"lightbox-gallery-1\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"230\" height=\"173\" src=\"https:\/\/nzchinasociety.org.nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/Tai-O-fishing-village-Hong-Kong-230x173.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-1-21023\" srcset=\"https:\/\/nzchinasociety.org.nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/Tai-O-fishing-village-Hong-Kong-230x173.jpg 230w, https:\/\/nzchinasociety.org.nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/Tai-O-fishing-village-Hong-Kong-350x263.jpg 350w, https:\/\/nzchinasociety.org.nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/Tai-O-fishing-village-Hong-Kong-527x395.jpg 527w, https:\/\/nzchinasociety.org.nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/Tai-O-fishing-village-Hong-Kong-560x420.jpg 560w, https:\/\/nzchinasociety.org.nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/Tai-O-fishing-village-Hong-Kong-80x60.jpg 80w, https:\/\/nzchinasociety.org.nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/Tai-O-fishing-village-Hong-Kong-100x75.jpg 100w, https:\/\/nzchinasociety.org.nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/Tai-O-fishing-village-Hong-Kong-180x135.jpg 180w, https:\/\/nzchinasociety.org.nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/Tai-O-fishing-village-Hong-Kong-238x178.jpg 238w, https:\/\/nzchinasociety.org.nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/Tai-O-fishing-village-Hong-Kong-640x480.jpg 640w, https:\/\/nzchinasociety.org.nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/Tai-O-fishing-village-Hong-Kong-681x511.jpg 681w, https:\/\/nzchinasociety.org.nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/Tai-O-fishing-village-Hong-Kong.jpg 960w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 230px) 100vw, 230px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<figcaption class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-21023'>\n\t\t\t\tTai O, fishing village, Hong Kong\n\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/nzchinasociety.org.nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/05\/Flying-into-Xiamen.jpg' title=\"\" data-rl_title=\"\" class=\"rl-gallery-link\" data-rl_caption=\"\" data-rel=\"lightbox-gallery-1\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"230\" height=\"173\" src=\"https:\/\/nzchinasociety.org.nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/05\/Flying-into-Xiamen-230x173.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-1-20767\" srcset=\"https:\/\/nzchinasociety.org.nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/05\/Flying-into-Xiamen-230x173.jpg 230w, https:\/\/nzchinasociety.org.nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/05\/Flying-into-Xiamen-350x263.jpg 350w, https:\/\/nzchinasociety.org.nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/05\/Flying-into-Xiamen-527x395.jpg 527w, https:\/\/nzchinasociety.org.nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/05\/Flying-into-Xiamen-560x420.jpg 560w, https:\/\/nzchinasociety.org.nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/05\/Flying-into-Xiamen-80x60.jpg 80w, https:\/\/nzchinasociety.org.nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/05\/Flying-into-Xiamen-100x75.jpg 100w, https:\/\/nzchinasociety.org.nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/05\/Flying-into-Xiamen-180x135.jpg 180w, https:\/\/nzchinasociety.org.nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/05\/Flying-into-Xiamen-238x178.jpg 238w, https:\/\/nzchinasociety.org.nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/05\/Flying-into-Xiamen-640x480.jpg 640w, https:\/\/nzchinasociety.org.nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/05\/Flying-into-Xiamen-681x511.jpg 681w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 230px) 100vw, 230px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<figcaption class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-20767'>\n\t\t\t\tView over Xiamen, Fujian province\n\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n<p>During her time in China, Deborah also had the pleasure of visiting a number of mangrove conservation projects and a fishing village in Hong Kong,\u00a0Taio O (see photo, above). She was kindly hosted by Xiamen University, the South China Sea Institute of Oceanology, and the Bureau of Zhanjiang Mangrove National Nature Reserve. She also spent 3 days at the Daya Bay Marine Biology Research Station.<\/p>\n<p>Deborah talked to many of her contacts in China about New Zealand, which many knew very little about. They were often particularly interested in Maori people and culture. Others were interested in how New Zealand\u2019s marine environment is managed. Deborah had gone prepared and she showed her contacts a Powerpoint presentation that covered many of the above points.\u00a0\u00a0For<strong>\u00a0<\/strong>her\u00a0Powerpoint presentation, click<strong>\u00a0<\/strong><a href=\"http:\/\/nzchinasociety.org.nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/SCSIO-Mangroves-and-Marine-Mammal-Conservation-in-NZ_v2.ppt\" target=\"_blank\">HERE<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Deborah acknowledges the help she received from volunteer interpreters from Xiamen University, from the China Mangrove Conservation Network and also from the Confucius Institutes in Wellington and Xiamen.<\/p>\n<p>She also appreciates very much the funding from the <a href=\"http:\/\/nzchinasociety.org.nz\/15769\/the-2014-class-of-nzcfs-youth-friendship-ambassadors\/\">Simon Deng Li Fund \u2013 Young Ambassadors to China Project<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>For Deborah\u2019s full report, &#8220;<strong>China\u2019s Mangrove Forests:\u00a0Values, Knowledge and Attitudes to Conservation<\/strong>&#8220;, on the Xiamen mangrove forests, please click <a href=\"http:\/\/nzchinasociety.org.nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/05\/Chinas-Mangrove-Forests-Final-Report_v2.pdf\" target=\"_blank\">HERE<\/a><strong>. <\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Deborah has\u00a0fulfilled the reporting\u00a0criterion required as a condition of receiving NZCFS Simon Deng Li funding.<\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p><em>Deborah is interested in supporting young Chinese women who are passionate about conservation. She would like to set up an internship programme in NZ that offers the opportunity to gain some NZ experience, skills and confidence. She\u2019d also like to extend the opportunity she\u2019s had to other New Zealanders interested in building relationships and understanding China\u2019s environment, by organising an environmental study tour to China.\u00a0Please e-mail Deborah if you are interested: <a href=\"mailto:deborahrobertson84@gmail.com\" target=\"_blank\">deborahrobertson84@gmail.com<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p style=\"text-align: right;\"><strong>\u00a0 \u00a0<\/strong><em>Teri France<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>For millennia, the Chinese people have been more concerned with poverty-alleviation (survival!) and wealth creation, to the detriment of their environment. But now, some of the world\u2019s most profound environmental changes are under way in China. The country\u2019s large population, rapid economic development and the demand for natural resources, are putting\u00a0huge pressure on the marine [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":12,"featured_media":20769,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[181],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/nzchinasociety.org.nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/20757"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/nzchinasociety.org.nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/nzchinasociety.org.nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nzchinasociety.org.nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/12"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nzchinasociety.org.nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=20757"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/nzchinasociety.org.nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/20757\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nzchinasociety.org.nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/20769"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/nzchinasociety.org.nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=20757"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nzchinasociety.org.nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=20757"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nzchinasociety.org.nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=20757"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}