Why are we losing mangroves?
The mangrove ecosystem is one of the most valuable ecosystems on earth. They help mitigate climate change with their capacity to store carbon in the atmosphere. However, the state of the world’s mangroves is declining by 0.2 to 0.7% every year. In relation to that, Super Typhoon Rai (Odette) greatly affected the Philippines last December 2021. The aftermath includes destroyed Philippine mangroves in most areas to a great extent leaving about P6.9 billion worth of damage. Under those circumstances, Oceanus partnered with the University of Manchester to incorporate our mangrove restoration project with technology.
Introducing Mangrove.World: A mangrove restoration video game
The main goal of creating the prototype of this video game, Mangrove.World, is to engage the people toward sustainability missions. Specifically, using video games as a medium for this objective. This process of putting together the interactive video game is made possible with Keep•It•Human (KiH); a social venture that creates video games for digital altruism. Particularly, they make use of digital technologies to benefit others for a sustainable future. Another company, Imago Software of The University of Manchester also designs engaging and functional software for clients all over the world.
Fieldwork in the Philippine mangroves ecosystem
At this point, a series of preparations for this video game includes research work, design of the overall features, creation of the soundtrack and music, and pilot testing. Afterward, in July 2022, the Oceanus team together with Ricardo Climent, a Professor of Interactive Music Composition at the University of Manchester, UK, head out to Negros Oriental and La Union in the Philippines to record the sound of the mangrove ecosystem to create an immersive experience in the development of the game.
The entire team takes off to the field in order to deploy bio-acoustic sensors at mangrove areas in La Union and Bais, Negros Oriental. The goal is to gather data on what the actual mangrove forest looks like, and how restoration works, and record the sounds of the wildlife and other ground noise in the actual mangrove forest to be incorporated into the video game.
Mangrove restoration and Mangrove.World – what’s next for this project?
We can’t wait for this and we hope you will support us in continuing our restoration efforts through games! Playing this video game will give a chance for the youth and the public to be part of our restoration and sustainability efforts in making a difference in the real world. Let’s work together for the planet, wherever you are in the world.
In the ongoing development of technology, as a result, creating Mangrove.World will be a great medium to build awareness and knowledge on the importance of the mangrove ecosystem. Together, let us make a difference and protect our coastal ecosystems by supporting this upcoming video game. Above all, you are not only helping nature but also the local communities who are stewards of this place.
To know more about this project, head on to Mangrove.World. And if you are interested to support Oceanus Conservation, click here!