The Zoobenthos of the Can Gio Mangrove Ecosystem

The OI 2004 project “Impact of mangrove exploitation on the benthic ecosystem an the assessment of ecological quality objectives”, focused on the Can Gio Mangrove, situated South of Ho Chi Minh city, has successfully achieved most its objectives. However, the obtained results need dissemination to the international scientific audience through publications and to the local community via activities in the Can Gio Education Centre to raise the awareness on the importance of this ecosystem and its biodiversity and the importance of ensuring a sustainable exploitation and protection of the biodiversity. This can be done by: (1) advanced studies on taxonomy of the zoobenthos and publication of the new species found in Can Gio Mangrove and providing barcode; (2) Development of the facilities of the Education Centre of Can Gio into an attraction pool for the local communities providing extensive information and training possibilities. The project is structured in 4 contents . Content 1: Meeting and workshop between partners involved; Content 2: Advanced studies on taxonomy of the zoobenthos of the Can Gio Mangrove Ecosystem; Content 3: Establishment of a permanent exhibition of the zoobenthos and a workshop/training room in the Education Centre in Can Gio Mangrove; Content 4: Disseminating the importance of the Can Gio Mangrove and its biodiversity to the local communities as such enhancing the sustainable exploitation of the mangrove.