A terrestrial version of the ECOTROP programme (field school in a tropical environment) was conceived back in 2012 and developed from 2016, in conjunction with the "Arc d'Émeraude" programme funded by the Agence Française de
Développement and coordinated by Gabon's National Parks Agency, with the Service de Renforcement des Capacités
de l’IRD.
After two years in 2023-2024 as a Research Training School (RTS), ECOTROP Littoral & Mangroves is launching a new dynamic as a "Structuring Training Programme, a training scheme in partnership deployed by the IRD", coordinated in Gabon by Dr Aimé Roger NZIGOU (Masuku University of Science and Technology, Franceville) and Christophe
LEBOULANGER (IRD, MARBEC). The aim of the 2025 event is to introduce master's students from Central Africa and Europe to sampling practices in coastal environments, scientific methods of analysis and formatting, and to give them the opportunity to disseminate the results of their work to a varied audience. With workshops dedicated to benthic ecology, ichthyology, microbiological and mercury pollution, the physico-chemistry of water and sediments, and primary producers, many researchers and teacher-researchers from several UMRs and their Gabonese partners are involved in the success of this training programme.
The seventh edition was held between 12 and 22 May 2025 in Libreville, Gabon. It was attended by a total of 22 students from Gabon (18), the Republic of Congo (2) and France (2), as well as six agents from the Directorate General of Aquatic Ecosystems of the Gabonese Ministry of Water and Forests. Five thematic workshops were led by scientists from CENAREST, USTM and IRD, with logistical support from the ANPN's Scientific Unit.
The first week was spent on the site of the Combat Training Camp - Gabonese Forest (CEC FOGA, a joint administration of the Gabonese and French armies), where the class benefited from a secure environment and close proximity to numerous sampling sites, while carrying out most of the analysis work on site. The last four days were spent on the campus of the École Nationale des Eaux et Forêts in Cap Estérias, before a public presentation of the work at the Ministry of Water and Forests in Libreville.
The “Microbiology” workshop focused on identifying and quantifying the presence of pollution-indicating bacteria in estuarine and coastal waters, using selective culture techniques. To highlight the main characteristics of aquatic primary producers, the “Algae” workshop set up a field laboratory to measure chlorophyll pigments and photosynthetic oxygen production. The group in charge of the “Benthos” workshop carried out several sampling sessions at low tide, studying the diversity of organisms living in coastal sediments, and the biological characteristics of the razor clam Solen guinensis, a species fished locally. Series of experimental fisheries enabled the “Fishes” workshop to assess the diversity of fish in contrasting sites. Finally, the catches made were used by the “Mercury” workshop to quantify the impregnation of organisms by this metal. In each workshop, the students were taught the techniques and methodologies for sampling, analysing and summarising the results, with a view to public communication.
Opened by the Minister for Water and Forests, who is in charge of the man-wildlife conflict, the feedback session gave each group the opportunity to present its work and results, followed by a presentation of diplomas to all participants.
PSF partner institutions: IRD (UMRs MARBEC, LEMAR, LOG); ULCO-IFSea; USTM; CENAREST; IMSA; DGEA; ANPN.
Support: ENEF; CEC FOGA; French Embassy in Gabon and Sao-Tomé-Et-Principe; NGO Renatura (Republic of Congo); NGO WCS Gabon.
Baie des Rois event - 23 May 2025
The Baie des Rois is a new ‘sustainable district’ in Libreville (Façade Maritime du Champ Triomphal) which hosts open-air exhibitions, among other things. AFD-Gabon has set up an exhibition on its METIS programme (https://www.afd.fr/fr/fonds-metis) and on ocean-related issues for UNOC 3. The panel on ECOTROP highlights the project that is just getting underway. At the public opening of the exhibition, Christophe Leboulanger took a few minutes to explain the history and prospects of the IRD's marine science partnerships in Gabon.
