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 from senior high 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.

From MPRO

Reporter: Du Jiewen

Editors: Samuel Burgess, Deen He, Zhang Fan