UIC students have their own opinions and actions when faced with environmental issues.

Wang Xiaomao: Preserving the precious seagrass beds (SGB)

Wang Xiaomao graduated from UIC Environmental Science (ENVS) Programme in 2018. She enjoyed the excellent view of the grassland when she looked out of the window during her senior high school time. She said a particular tree had grown there since she was a child. However, a few years later, housing development pushed into the grassland, cutting the old tree down. From then on, Xiaomao desired to become the one who can protect the green and beautiful landscape.

Wang Xiaomao

After graduating fromseniorhigh school, Xiaomao entered UIC chose ENVS as her major, as she planned to study abroad. During the four-year study at UIC, Wang Xiaomao kept her dream in mind. According to Xiaomao, many things can be done to save the Earth's resources, especially for youths, who should take action to protect the environment. With several classmates' support, Xiaomao prevented an area of a rare seagrass bed in Tangjia from being removed. From this experience, she learned to dare to face difficulties and never give up.

Wang Xiaomao and Associate Professor and Programme Director of ENVS Dr Siu-tai Tsim studying the seagrass bed

Jishanqiao, located in Tangjia, is the only known area on the west bank of Pearl River estuary where the tropical seagrass bed of Halophila beccarii Asch grows, which is considered internationally endangered. Seagrass is an essential plant living in marine ecosystems. A Seagrass bed is referred to as an underwater tropical rain forest because of its rich biodiversity.

UIC's research on seagrass bed began in 2016 when several ENVS Programme students and visiting students from Trinity University cooperated to conduct the research and study on seagrass. Since then, senior students have researched seagrass for their final year projects. The research interests include growing environmental monitoring for seagrass beds, species relationships, and the impact of human activities.

After Xiaomao completed her final year project studying the relationship between Halophila beccarii Asch and it's living environment, she discovered that a newly constructed artificial beach would soon replace the precious seagrass bed.

Xiaomao decided to do something for seagrass preservation. She tried to seek help and support from the local office conducting for ocean preservation, and the Central Ecological and Environmental Protection Inspectorate's Office, experts from other universities.

Finally, the seagrass bed was preserved. The Central Ecological and Environmental Protection Inspectorate Office and Zhuhai Hi-Tech Industrial Development Zone government adjusted the construction plan.

Protected area to preserve the seagrass bed

After graduating from UIC, Wang Xiaomao took a dual master's degree in ecology and evolutionary biology (EEB) and natural resources and environment (NRE) at the University of Michigan. She currently works in the Centre for Integrative Conservation at the Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden (XTBG), Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Yunnan. This is a new group, bringing together existing staff working on biological conservation at XTBG and recruiting new staff at all levels. She is planning to pursue further study of PhD focusing on environmental science research. At the same time, she popularised the knowledge to enhance people's awareness of green resource using.

Ren Xinyi: Raising awareness of environmental and ecological protection

Ren Xinyi considers university students an indispensable part of the promotion of environmental and ecological protection.

UIC United Innovation Charity Club (UICC) guiding tourists in the mangrove forest

Ren Xinyi, a current second-year Media and Communication Studies (MCOM) student, is also one of the UICC mangrove protection project team leaders. The mangrove protection project team consists of creative student volunteers with a passion for the mangrove ecosystem. The team members often go to Qi'ao Island Mangrove Wetland Park to provide tourist guidance and popularise science knowledge. Besides, they sometimes assist the reserve with scientific work such as seed collection and specimen making. Similarly, these students go to Zhuhai Jinfeng Primary School every semester to promote environmental protection and plant knowledge in front of the children.

The project team promoting environmental protection in Jinfeng Primary School

For years, UIC students have actively participated in the conservation of mangroves in Qi'ao Island, the largest contiguous area of mangrove wetland in Guangdong. Every year, lots of students work as volunteers here. In 2016, UIC DST – HKBU CSD Joint Active Media Computing Research Centre cooperated with the conservation area management council. Zhuhai birding association developed QR codes for tourists to learn about the plants in a conservation area, such as species classification, introduction, morphological characteristics, distribution, usages. Both the English and Chinese versions are provided.

It was Xinyi's first volunteering experience that impressed her a lot. She explained that she used to be stuck by tourists' questions towards mangroveseveral times since she was not familiar with the related knowledge when she joined the mangrove project team for a short period.

From then on, Xinyi realised that volunteer services are more than only smiling and helping others. Therefore, after being selected as the leader of this project, Ren Xinyi decided to change the mode of volunteer services, leading to an excellent service quality improvement. Tourists could enjoy guide service for free after registering at the reserve entrance.

UIC students making promotional materials forthe mangrove forest in Qi'ao Island

Xinyi emphasised that it is much more important to raise people's awareness and appeal to their environmental and ecological protection actions than just discussing this topic.

Xinyi found that many tourists consider the mangrove forest conservation area a scenic spot. She explained that vendors sold fishing tackle and fish cages at the reservation entrance, which made tourists seldom realise they should protect animals rather than getting caught and hurt. Besides, some tourists thought that coconut shells are biodegradable, so they arbitrarily litter on mudflats.

She also mentioned that the conservation zone carried out educational activities for knowledge popularisation such as tree planting and seedling breeding. However, the afforestation rate is still lower than deforestation.

According to Ren Xinyi, university students are the vital force to promote environmental and ecological protection. Therefore, she hopes that more youths could join to contribute to raising public awareness.

From MPRO

Reporter: Du Jiewen

Editors: Samuel Burgess, Deen He, Zhang Fan