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Mangrove: Solution for Carbon and Climate

WORLDVIEW

Mangrove Virtual University

WORLDVIEW MANGROVE VIRTUAL UNIVERSITY

Pongtada Suriya
15 June 2025

Worldview International Foundation – WIF

“Our mission is to pioneer natural climate solutions that mitigate CO2 emissions, promote biodiversity, and empower coastal communities to achieve sustainable development in support of the Paris Agreement and the UN Sustainable Development Goals.”

WIF aims to share its 12 years of practical experience in the successful implementation of mangrove restoration, namely rehabilitation and reforestation efforts in Myanmar’s coastal regions. These efforts have included extensive support for sustainable livelihoods projects of coastal communities in the project areas. The knowledge gained from these valuable experiences has been compiled and summarized in the online study courses, freely available to global audiences.

https://www.mangrove-virtual.university

This online, long-distance, self-learning educational website targets coastal communities, local organizations, NGOs, professional bodies, and individuals with an interest in mangrove rehabilitation and reforestation. In the advanced course, we also provide guidelines for implementing large-scale mangrove restoration and rehabilitation projects that qualify for carbon credits. We will share technical know-how and practical procedures from our master planters, including methodologies to guarantee carbon credits from a certified body, conserve the coastal environment and its biodiversity, and community livelihood projects to sustain the plantation.

Technical Information

Our website utilizes the WordPress Content Management System (CMS) as the core platform. Its key Learning Management System (LMS) plugin is Sensei LMS Pro. We also incorporate various other plugins that enhance the website’s illustration and security. Using the LMS, we have developed content-based course modules, lessons, and quizzes that effectively engage learners.

Stakeholder and Course Learning

Key stakeholders and their roles in the online course include the Subscriber (student), Teacher, Author, Content contributor, Editors, and Administrators. Enrollment procedures are essential for the course’s progress, including monitoring, advising, tutoring, accreditation, and facilitating membership.

The learning elements and hierarchy incorporate modules, lessons, and interactive learning activities, such as question-and-answer sessions, quizzes, and a final examination. This structure works well for online classes involving self-learning and group study.

CONTENT STRUCTURES.

General Information:-

The website provides general information on WIF, including the existence and status of Mangrove, the qualifications and experiences of teachers, experts, and specialists, photo galleries, an FAQ section, and enrollment guidelines.

The Content Structures of the “Basic Course.”

  • MODULE 1 MIRACLE TREE
  • MODULE 2 SITE SELECTION
  • MODULE 3 GET TO KNOW THE AREA
  • MODULE 4 SELECT THE RIGHT SPECIES
  • MODULE 5 PREPARATION & HANDLING OF SEEDS/PROPAGULES
  • MODULE 6 PLANTING BY NURSERY-RAISED SEEDLINGS
  • MODULE 7 PLANTING BY DIRECT SEED SOWING
  • MODULE 8 PLANTATION MAINTENANCE AND REPLANTING
  • MODULE 9 CONSERVATION AND SUSTAINABILITY

The Content Structures of the “Advanced Course.”

Module 1: MANGROVES – WHAT, WHERE & STATUS
Learn how vital the mangroves are in mitigating CO2, where they can be seen, and their current status, and understand the deforestation and degradation of mangroves.

  • 1.1 Why mangroves are vital?
  • 1.2 What is Mangrove?
  • 1.3 Mangrove Status
  • 1.4 Causes of Mangrove Deforestation and Degradation
  • 1.5 Effects of Mangrove Deforestation and Degradation

Module 2: SPECIES, PHYSIOLOGY, & ECOSYSTEMS
Learn and update the detailed information about mangrove species, types, and unique features. Understand the importance of mangrove ecosystem services.

  • 2.1 Mangrove Species
  • 2.2 Types of Mangroves
  • 2.3 Special Features of Mangroves
  • 2.4 Mangrove Ecosystem Services

Module 3: APPROACHES TO CONSERVATION & REHABILITATION
Mangrove conservation and rehabilitation are becoming increasingly important, and various approaches are used globally, nationally, and locally.

  • 3.1 Mangrove Protection & Conservation
  • 3.2 Mangrove Reforestation, Rehabilitation, and Restoration

Module 4: KEY FACTORS FOR PLANTATION SUCCESS
A study from WIF’s ten years of experience overcoming critical factors for thriving mangrove plantations.

  • 4.1 Tide Inundation
  • 4.2 Site Selection
  • 4.3 Species Selection
  • 4.4 Weather Patterns & Land Tenure

Module 5: PRE-PLANTING PREPARATION
Pre-planting Preparation for large-scale mangrove rehabilitation includes assessing the area using satellite imagery and determining land preparation methods.

  • 5.1 Preliminary Area Assessment by the Satellite Imageries
  • 5.2 Forest Inventory
  • 5.3 Seed/Propagule Collection and Storage
  • 5.4 Nursery Practice and Seedlings Backup
  • 5.5 Site Preparation

Module 6: PLANTING AND MAINTENANCE
Learn from our long experiences implementing large-area planting techniques for mangrove restoration with an eye toward carbon credit issuance.

  • 6.1 Staking
  • 6.2 Planting
  • 6.3 Weeding and Patching
  • 6.4 Permanent Sample Plot Setting Up & Survival Counting
  • 6.5 Timeline

Module 7: CARBON PROJECT DEVELOPMENT IMPLEMENTATION & ISSUANCE
Basic guidelines for implementing the carbon credit project development, validation, monitoring, verification, and issuances.

  • 7.1 Carbon Project Development
  • 7.2 Carbon Project Validation and Verification
  • 7.3 Carbon Project Monitoring, Reporting, and Verification

Module 8: MANAGING LARGE-SCALE PLANTATION
The in-depth case studies on our management model led to Myanmar’s successful mangrove rehabilitation and restoration program.

  • 8.1 Managing Large-Scale Plantations
  • 8.2 Problems, Constraints, and Solutions

Module 9: SUSTAINABILITY
Lessons learned and food for thoughts on sustaining the mangrove plantation with full participation from the local coastal communities.

  • 9.1 Sustainable Considerations
  • 9.2 Identifying Appropriate Sustainable Livelihoods
  • 9.3 WIF Approach For Sustainability

Certificate of Achievement

Upon completing the course, learners will receive a certificate of completion/achievement from the Worldview International Foundation (WIF). Soon, we will be ready to partner with reputed marine science-based universities and institutions so that students can gain academic credits for their advanced studies.

Creation of Social Media Channels

We have now produced 38 supplementary video stories based on our 12 years of project experience in Myanmar. These videos have been part of our “Basic course” and “Advanced course” contained in most modules and lessons. As of June 2025, we have utilized these video contents in disseminating the knowledge on popular social media channels as follows:-

  • YouTube Channel. Thirty-eight video clips were uploaded, each with a detailed description of the story. An additional YouTube Shorts format is being prepared for mobile phone viewers. The link is here=> https://www.youtube.com/@WMVU2025/videos.
  • Facebook and Facebook Page. Forty posts with video stories were uploaded on both Facebook and Facebook Page channels. A detailed description of the story has been provided. The links to these channels are:- 1) https://www.facebook.com/wvmvu/ and 2) https://www.facebook.com/wvmvu2025/
  • Instagram. Thirty-nine posts were uploaded with video stories in Instagram Reels. The link to the Instagram page is at:- https://www.instagram.com/mangrove_vu/
  • The Threads app from Instagram is also prepared and ready for use in viewing and sharing public conversations.
  • X or Twitter. A few posts have been tested to confirm the use of X channel. The link is here:- https://x.com/WorldviewMVU.
  • TikTok. Thirty-six posts were uploaded with video stories on the TikTok channel. The link is here:- https://www.tiktok.com/@WMVU2025.
  • LinkedIn. Thirty-nine posts were uploaded with video stories in the LinkedIn Channel. The link to the account page is at:- https://www.linkedin.com/in/wmvu/
  • Dailymotion channel. Thirty-eight posts were uploaded with video stories in the Dailymotion Channel. The link to the account page is at:- https://www.dailymotion.com/wmvu2025.
  • The utilization of the Vimeo Channel is studied and underway. The link is here:- https://vimeo.com/user186861497.

Explore potential partnerships with existing e-learning platforms.

  • Studies are underway to utilize the platforms. These are Alison, Coursera, edX, Udacity, LinkedIn Learning, Skillshare, Codecademy, General Assembly, and Udemy.

Historical Background

Basic course initiation.

  • Dr. San Tha Tun, WIF’s mangrove specialist and gene bank leader, initially compiled, wrote, and provided text-based, comprehensive knowledge and content on practical implementation in Myanmar. This was completed at the end of 2022.
  • Mr. Sven Åke Bjørke, a professor (retired) at the Pedagogical Development Centre (PULS) Dept. for Global Development and Planning at the University of Agder, Norway, has advised initiating the study course pilot phase.
  • Mr.Pongtada Suriya, a communication specialist at WIF-Thailand, is a web technical creator, content coordinator, administrator, and developer.
  • The first “Basic course” was developed in January 2023. The team comprises Prof. Max Hansson, an Environment specialist from Karlstadt University in Sweden, Mr.Jaocim Cortney, a WIF mangrove field specialist, and Mr. Moe Min Aung, an experienced field officer from Myanmar. They drafted the essential course content for the website.
  • The “Basic Course” has been completed and functioning well since April 2023. During May and June 2023, the website underwent test runs focusing on the “Basic Course.” Many evaluators with master’s degrees from various universities in Sweden and other African countries have participated.

Advanced course development

  • The work for the advanced course started in early 2024. Mr. U Win Muang is the key informant, sharing his experiences as a long-time research director in the Forestry Department, as well as 10 years of experience from his intensive work with WIF’s large-scale mangrove plantations.
  • The course was primarily developed based on the lifelong expertise of Mr. Win Maung, a mangrove expert from Myanmar. Some cases will be explained using information from Myanmar through experiments and implementations of mangrove rehabilitation. 
  • Mr. Zwe Phyo Naing, Mr. Win Muang’s assistant, is an experienced field worker who graduated from Japan with a master’s in mangrove restoration and rehabilitation. He writes up most of the technical content on Mangroves.

Management

At the moment, the operation is under WIF’s Communication Department, directed by Mr. Roar Fjortoft. The team members are:-

  • Dr. Arne Fjortoft, Creator & Policy Guidance.
  • Mr. Roar Fjortoft, Communication Director. Supervise and Facilitate the project.
  • Mr. Pongtada Suriya, WIF Communication Specialist, Webmaster/Administrator, Online Learning Pedagogy, Course structuring, Webpage illustrator, video media producer/editor. Worldview Mangrove Virtual University leader.
  • Miss. Laila Kelloniemi, WIF’s Main Website Editor. Editorial support.
  • Mr. Tun Tun Aung, Communication Manager, Myanmar. As Field Media Contributor, Newsletter Editor, Photographer, and Video Editor.
  • Mr. Kaushika Withanage is a social media producer, short-form content video producer, and editor.
  • Mr. Nay Htet Aung, IT officer/technician

COURSE CONTENTS: Text Author, Contributors, and Media Illustrators.

  • Mr. U Win Maung, International Project Director, Mangrove Specialist/Master Planter. Contributor on the Advance Course primary content/knowledge.
  • Dr. San Tha Tun, Mangrove Gene Bank Project Manager. Provider of the Basic Course Content Summary.
  • Dr. Toh Aung, Mangrove Carbon Team Specialist, Myanmar. VERRA Listed Projects
  • Mr. Zwe Paign Phyo, a member of the International Mangrove team, contributed to the advanced course content, wrote the lessons, and provided document backup references.
  • Ms. Naw Grace Boni, Head of Livelihoods Programme, content provider on WIF community projects and sustainability.
  • Mr. Kuang Set Naing, Mangrove Field Officer/Video Media Producer/Editor, Cameraman, and Media Contributor.
  • Mr. Moe Min Aung, Field Mangrove Officer, photographer, & Media contributor.
  • Dr. Dhanya M. Nambiar, Director, Centre for Environment Education and Development (CEED), Carbon Project Auditor. Provided content on Carbon Project Development, Validation, Monitoring, Reporting, Verification, and Issuance.
  • Ms. Nizzy Mary Mathew, Project Analyst, Centre for Environment Education and Development (CEED)

Partnership

We are pleased to work with partners in these areas of involvement:-

  • Project direct funding to continue the website’s operation, long-term content development, and services on a global scale.
  • Academic bodies such as reputable universities, colleges, and institutions issue study credits to successful students.
  • Related government departments and UN agencies in endorsing the courses.
  • Joint-Venture for fundraising to maintain and sustain the website.
  • Networking with like-minded organizations and NGOs to participate as networks of learners and expand their reach globally.
  • Income from course enrollment fees can be used for self-improvement and personal growth. In this case, web plugins will be needed to build e-commerce platforms.
  • Sponsor of scholarships for fully enrolled students.

Immediate Need

  • Advanced Web IT backup and server management to ensure stability and security of the website, prevention of spam, hackers, etc.
  • Content proof and endorsement by national or international mangrove experts, scientists, and coastal marine academicians.
  • English language improvement.
  • Enhance online course pedagogy by incorporating interactive learning, visual aids, and engagement strategies.
  • Networking and professionally launching the courses on a global scale.
  • Use of AI Technology in course translation and web administration. An AI-powered language translation plugins exist for multilingual sites. They are:- (1) Polylang, (2) Loco Translate, (3) WPML, (4) GTranslate, and (5) Weglot. These WordPress translation plugins enable us to create multilingual versions of the website, making the content accessible to learners in various global regions.