On 3^rd July 2024, Gezhi Talks hosted its inaugural overseas event in Agadir, Morocco. Being part of the 36th session of the International Coordinating Council of the UNESCO Man and the Biosphere Programme (MAB), the theme is "Vitality: Science for Harmony between Man and the Biosphere". Five experts from China, Spain, and Ghana were invited to tell stories about their explorations and practices in their countries, including porpoise conservation, forest ecology monitoring, giant panda reserve planning, scientific management of biosphere reserves, and traditional nature protection. The event also introduced the 5th World Congress of Biosphere Reserves will be held in Hangzhou, China in 2025, which attracted global interests. Over 60 attendees from  various nations participated.　　 

　　Ding Wang·China

　　Small Dolphin and its Big River

　　The Yangtze finless porpoise, renowned for its endearing smile, was once endangered. To safeguard these intelligent creatures, Mr. Ding Wang, professor of the Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), and general secretary of MAB China, spearheaded conservation  efforts on Yangtze finless porpoises for 40 years. They pioneered  natural ex-situ conservation and captive breeding research, culminating in a historic population increase in 2022! This successful case is globally significant, demonstrating China's commitment to protecting  the Yangtze River’s creatures, as Mr. Ding Wang  stated, "We are more confident than ever in protecting the most beautiful smile of the Yangtze River".

　　Keping Ma·China

　　Forest Symphony

　　Each forest manifests a diverse community with intricate order. How does this biodiversity exist amidst limited resources? What are the impacts on ecosystem functions if biodiversity is lost? Mr. Keping Ma, professor of ecology at the Institute of Botany, CAS, and chair of the Asia Regional Members Committee of IUCN, explored these forest enigmas. His team has documented the growth of 140,000 trees from seeds in 24 hectares of the primary forest, and monitored the flora and fauna, unveiling the wisdom of the forest. They discovered that the forest optimizes ecological functions through tree species diversity, offering crucial insights for forest restoration strategies.

　　Zhiyun Ouyang ·China

　　Big Mountain for the Giant Panda

　　The giant panda, a China’s national treasure and global icon, is increasingly conflicted with human settlements. To strategically plan protected areas while considering community quality of life , a team led by Mr. Zhiyun Ouyang, professor of the Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, CAS, and advisory committee member of MAB China, has monitored and assessed the habitats of giant pandas, constructing  a model to identify key protected areas. They also guided locals to adopt alternative lifestyles, such as switching from firewood  to electricity and providing compensation. Consequently locals and giant pandas in the reserves  now coexist harmoniously.

　　Natalia Beltrán Díaz·Spain

　　Connecting Science and Management

　　Spain is an important component of the MAB, comprises more than 50 biosphere reserves. In these reserves, researchers consistently unearth discoveries. For example, certain areas have become refuges for some butterfly species due to climate change. Yet there exists a gap between  scientific research and management practices. Natalia Beltrán Díaz, chief of Service of International Relations OAPN, MITECO, Spain, and co-chair of the Drafting Group for the new MAB Strategy and the Action Plan, has been striving to bridge this gap. By promoting scientific literacy  and recruiting volunteers from all walks of life, they enable both reserve managers and the public to track scientific advancements and implement them in conservation practice.

　　Sheila Nana Akua Ashong·Ghana

　　Tradition for Natural Resource Management

　　Ghana, nestled in western Africa, boasts verdant forests. Many of these forests serve as not just nature reserves but also as "sacred"  locales for locals adhering to ancient legends. Historically, these forests were protected due to respect for traditional culture. However, these traditions are gradually eroding with modernization, leading to deforestation and encroachment into the forests. Sheila Nana Akua Ashong, Ag. director of Natural Resources at the Environmental Protection Agency, Ghana, and coordinator of MAB Ghana, aims to rectify this situation. She has extensively visited local communities to understand their traditions,  document the narratives between people and nature, and strive to preserve  these traditions for enhanced  protection of natural resources.

　　This event is co-organized by Gezhi Talks and the Chinese National Committee for Man and the Biosphere Programme (MAB China), with the support of the International Coordinating Council of the UNESCO Man and the Biosphere Programme.

　　Zhe Zhu·Moderator

             Computer Network Information Center of the CAS

[About Cezhi Talks]

As a national scientific and cultural speech brand in China, Gezhi Talks is dedicated to the interdisciplinary communication of extraordinary ideas. It has organized monthly stage-style speaking events since its inception in 2014, inviting outstanding people in the fields of science, education, culture, and art to share their discoveries, views, and ideas. Organized by the Computer Network Information Center of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) and the Office of Cybersecurity and Informatization of the CAS, with the technical support of Science Museums of China (Popular Science Cloud Platform of the CAS). 

[About MAB]

The Man and the Biosphere (MAB) programme is an intergovernmental scientific programme that aims to establish a scientific basis for enhancing the relationship between people and their environments. It combines the natural and social sciences to improve human livelihoods and safeguard natural and managed ecosystems, thus promoting innovative approaches to economic development that are socially and culturally appropriate and environmentally sustainable.