The Ecological Dynamics of the Mangrove Ecosystems in the Vicinity of the Indus River Delta, Pakistan: The PAKMER Project, A Supplement Award

本项目支持华盛顿大学海洋学院的S. Ahmed博士和巴基斯坦卡拉奇国家海洋学研究所（NIO）名誉主任G. S. Quraishee博士之间的合作。该研究涉及红树林系统网络元素的相互作用，特别是在巴基斯坦印度河河口的系统中，了解红树林生态系统中淡水流量减少和地下水盐度增加等因素对树木生长的影响以及连锁反应对其他海洋生物的影响。在巴基斯坦的红树林生态系统中，结果表现为盐生植物和矮灌木的物种多样性大大减少。为了扭转这种自然资源的损失，需要充分了解红树林生态系统的生态生理学及其要素的重要性顺序。研究范围：这项研究由华盛顿大学的团队进行，NIO的工作人员也提供船只和其他后勤支持。通过这个项目，参与数据分析甚至数据采集将得到加强，这对美国团队和巴基斯坦团队都有好处。后者将发展必要的能力和专业知识，以便在美国人参与之外继续进行研究。该项目符合发展中国家科学计划的目标。该项目由国际情报局和欧安组织联合资助。

Description: Under this project support is provided for collaboration between Dr. S. Ahmed of the School of Oceanography, University of Washington, and Dr. G. S. Quraishee, Director Emeritus of the National Institute of Oceanography (NIO) in Karachi, Pakistan. The research deals with the interaction of the elements of the web of mangrove systems, especially in the system at the mouth of the Indus river in Pakistan, to understand the impact of factors such as the decrease in fresh water flow and increase in ground water salinity on the growth of trees and the chain reaction on other marine life in the mangrove ecosystem. In Pakistani mangrove ecosystems the result has been expressed in vastly decreased species diversity of the halophytes and in shorter shrubs. The full understanding of the ecophysiology of the mangrove ecosystems and an order of importance of its elements is needed to affect a reversal of the loss in this natural resource. Scope: This research is being carried out by the U. of Washington team with the participation of the NIO staff which also provides the boats and other logistical support. The participation in the data analysis and even in data acquisition will be enhanced through this project to the benefit of the U.S. team and also to the Pakistani team. The latter will develop the necessary capabilities and expertise to continue the reserach beyond the involvement of the Americans. The project fits the objectives of the Science in Developing Countries Program. This project is being funded jointly by INT and OCE.