Objective
Mangroves are tropical forests located at the land–sea transition that deliver vital ecosystem services, including carbon sequestration and coastal protection. To reverse decades of deforestation, global interest in mangrove restoration has grown, yet more than half of projects fail. This low success rate is linked to insufficient understanding of the fine-scale topographic and hydrological conditions that govern seedling establishment and survival. Tidal mudflats, where restoration typically occurs, are not uniformly flat but shaped by microtopographic features such as creek levees and ridge–runnel systems. Previous research has only assessed suitable topography at large scales (hundreds of metres to kms), overlooking these features. Aerial imagery suggests that natural mangrove expansion aligns with microtopographies, but this has never been systematically studied. This represents a critical knowledge gap, as microtopographies may provide sheltered, elevated niches that enhance propagule retention, seedling survival, and growth. The objective of EMMA is to investigate how microtopographies control mangrove establishment and survival, and whether they can initiate biogeomorphic feedbacks that expand suitable habitat over time. I hypothesize that (1) early expansion aligns with microtopographic features such as creeks and ridges, (2) survival depends on topographic, hydrological, and morphological conditions shaped by these features, and (3) colonization of microtopographies initiate positive feedbacks that facilitate further establishment. I will combine UAV-based LiDAR and hyperspectral surveys with field experiments and biophysical modelling to quantify the role of microtopographies in seedling establishment and growth. The outcomes will provide a scientific basis for adaptive restoration strategies that target high-potential microtopographic areas, increasing survival rates, reducing costs, and improving the long-term success of global mangrove restoration.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
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Keywords
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
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HORIZON.1.2 - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA)
MAIN PROGRAMME
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Topic(s)
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
HORIZON-TMA-MSCA-PF-GF - HORIZON TMA MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships - Global Fellowships
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Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) HORIZON-MSCA-2025-PF
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Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.
2000 Antwerpen
Belgium
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.