International Chapter
Welcome to the International Chapter of the Society of Wetlands Scientists. This chapter brings together wetland scientists and other professionals from different countries that demonstrate a global interest in wetlands. Our co-chairs represent SWS in Latin America and the Caribbean region (Tatiana Lobato de Magalhães) and the African region (Ian Bredin), as well as other countries not specifically incorporated into an SWS regional chapter.
SWS International Chapter promotes the development of wetland science and management through various opportunities, such as student grants, conference support, and internships.
SWS International Chapter is pleased to provide a quarterly webinar series on tropical wetland science topics of interest.
- Check out our SWS Spanish webinars page
- Check out our LAC region Facebook page
- Check out our African region Facebook page
Webinar registration is complimentary to all SWS members. LAC webinars are in Spanish, but Portuguese and French webinars are coming soon!
International Chapter
Jacolette Adam
Excellence Akeredolu
Touré Fréjuce Amoule
Flor Aponte
Stephani Askew
Giovanni Ávila-Flores
Dingha Babila
Antonia Belcher
Johannes Belle
Prof Johanes Belle holds a PhD in Environmental Management with a focus on the nexus between the Environment, Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change Adaptation; Master’s degree in disaster management, Advanced University Diploma in Disaster Management, BA Honours in Geography, BA + Ed, Diploma in Marketing and other qualifications.
Prof Belle is an experienced Disaster Management Professional and an Environmentalist (33 years experience); with special interest on Ecosystem-based Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change Adaptation for systems and community Resilience (Eco-DRR/CCA4R) under the broad theme of Nature-based Solutions (NbS). He is a member of many international and national academic, research and professional organizations. He is currently employed at the University of the Free State, Disaster Management Training and Education Centre for Africa (UFS-DiMTEC) in South Africa
Antoinette Bootsma
EDUARDO CEJUDO
Currently working at the Water Sciences Unit (UCIA) in Cancun, Mexico (Yucatán Scientific Research Center (http://www.cicy.mx/unidad-de-ciencias-del-agua/introduccion). Personal website https://eduardocejudo.weebly.com/
Lorena Chavarro Chaux
Nelly Del Carmen Jimenez Perez
Nelly Del Carmen Jimenez Perez
Andrew Der
With a total of 33 years of experience (20 as a manager) working within the Chesapeake Bay watershed, Mr. Der is currently executive principal of Andrew T. Der and Associates, LLC practicing in the water resources consulting and contracting industry regionally and nationally since 2013. Before that and since 2000, he was Director of Environmental Services for two civil engineering firms in the Washington DC/Baltimore, MD metro region. Previously, he completed 18 years of service at the Maryland Department of the Environment leaving as a manager. Specialties include regulation and compliance; assessment; watershed studies; advocacy; permitting; feasibility studies; nonpoint source pollution; wetland and stream mitigation; water quality; and Clean Water Act and NEPA, as well as various federal and state pollution and waste programs. He is an Academy of Board Certified Environmental Professionals (ABCEP) Certified Environmental Professional (CEP) by eminence, and also teaches seminars, publishes industry-related and natural resources articles, a member of industry and advisory committees, recipient of numerous awards of recognition, and provides expert testimony and media interviews.
Christel Du Preez
Fred Ellery
I work on wetlands in drylands in southern Africa with a particular interest in their structure, functioning and sustainable restoration.
Gary Ervin
I earned my B.S. and Ph.D. from the University of Alabama (Tuscaloosa). After a post-doc at the University of Arkansas (Fayetteville), I took a faculty position in Plant Ecology in the Department of Biological Sciences at Mississippi State University, where I have been since 2001. I have served on the editorial board for Wetlands and on the executive committee for the South Central Chapter of SWS.
Debbie Fordham
I am a freshwater scientist, with over 7 years of working experience, currently practicing in George as a wetland and river specialist. I have authored over 80 reports and applications and constantly contribute to the scientific and local community. Most of my projects involve (as a minimum) in-depth wetland and river field delineation (including soil investigations via augering, vegetation identification, and classifying the hydrological characteristics), laboratory analysis (such as water quality and sediment analysis), classification, characterisation, ecological health and ecosystem functioning assessments (using the latest available tools), as well as impact rating, buffer determinations, mitigation recommendations and detailed rehabilitation plans. I am highly proficient using GIS software to incorporate accurate spatial analysis and visual aids (No Go Area maps etc.) into reports.
I hold a M.Sc. degree in Environmental Science from Rhodes University, by thesis, entitled: The geomorphic origin and evolution of the Tierkloof Wetland, a peatland dominated by Prionium serratum in the Western Cape.
Sofia Grimaldi Calderon
Tamara Heartsill Scalley Ph.D.
Suheil Hoosen
La Daana Kanhai
Early career scientist that focuses on the anthropogenic impacts on coastal and marine ecosystems e.g. chemical contaminants, plastic pollution, etc. Based in the Caribbean.
Aoi Kudoh
Manish Kumar
Rikus Lamprecht
Liezl Landman
Anton Linstrom
Romina Llanos
Tatiana Lobato de Magalhaes
Research Professor | Chapter Chair at the Society of Wetland Scientists | PhD, PWS
My research interests focus on the ecology, landscape genetics, restoration, and conservation of freshwater ecosystems. I have been working on large-scale spatial patterns of aquatic plants, combining community, population, and landscape approaches.
I serve as Associated Editor of the journals WETLANDS and Aquatic Botany.
Monica Sofia Maldonado Fonken
Musa Mlambo
Susan Mrugal
Adewole Olagoke Ph.D.
Mariana Ospina
Eduardo Oyague
Sharon Pollard
Nirvasha Rajdeo
Alanna Jane Rebelo Ph.D.
Josue Reyes Amaya
Charlene Russell
Karol Salazar Navarro
Hajera Sana
Cynthia Priscilla Sánchez Santillán
Omar Santiago Ph.D.
Zati Sharip
Dr. Zati Sharip is a senior researcher at the National Water Research Institute of Malaysia (NAHRIM) and serves as the Unit Head of Lake and Reservoir Research at the Water Quality and Environment Research Centre since 2007. She is also an associate to the Academy of Science Malaysia. She obtained her PhD from the University of Western Australia, Australia focusing on physical-chemical-biological interactions in a tropical lake. She has conducted various researches on more than 40 lakes and wetlands in Malaysia for more than 16 years. Her research deals with hydro-ecological and hydro-biological studies in freshwater ecosystems.
Luc Strydom
Senior Environmental Scientist with a particular interest in wetlands and vegetation ecology.
Alexandra Tello
Andrea Tipe Garcia
Gugulethu Tshabalala
Jana Uys
Gabriel Wanyoike
Ricardo Wong
Students Awarded SWS Membership for Best Student Talks
Congratulations to Josue Roberto Reyes Amaya, Andrea Tipe Garcia, and Lorena Chavarro Chaux for presenting the best student talks of the past Colombian Wetland Meeting (III Congreso Internacional de Ríos y Humedales)! Because of their great work, they've been awarded a 1-year membership to SWS.
We're proud of their efforts in presenting the following talks:
- Josue Roberto Reyes Amaya: Dinámica del nitrógeno en un ecosistema dependiente de agua subterránea
- Andrea Tipe Garcia: Propuesta para la evaluación del servicio ecosistémico de regulación hídrica en los humedales altoandinos de Yuracmayo, Perú
- Lorena Chavarro Chaux: Effects of Livestock Production on the Stream Health, Water Quality and Function of a Small Tributary in Mississippi
Youth Engaged in Wetlands (YEW) meeting in Tokyo in January 2020
The International chapter co-chair, Tatiana Lobato de Magalhães, attended the Youth Engaged in Wetlands (YEW) meeting in Tokyo (January 16-21, 2020). The event was hosted by the Youth Ramsar Japan and was an important moment to work on the creation of an international network for wetland professionals and scientists.
XXI Mexican Botanical Society meeting 2019
The International Chapter is very proud to announce the top presenters at the Aquatic Plants Symposium hosted by the XXI Mexican Botanical Society meeting. The winners were Dr. Nelly Jiménez and MSc. Ricardo Wong, both of them get a 1-year of free membership at the SWS. The International chapter Co-Chair, Tatiana Lobato de Magalhães, was invited as a speaker at the Symposium. Additional, she had the opportunity to introduce to the SBM committee the potential SWS/SBM affiliation.
XXI Mexican Botanical Society meeting 2019 (Oct 20-25, Aguascalientes, Mexico)
South African National Wetlands Indaba
The International Chapter is proud to announce the top presenters at this year’s South African National Wetlands Indaba. The winners were: Nardus Bosman, Denisha Anand, Faith Mamphoka, Mthombeni Tinyiko Salome. They were awarded 1-year free membership to SWS. International Co-Chair Ian Bredin was the keynote speaker to talk about the SWS/SAWS affiliation.
South African National Wetland Indaba 2019 (7-11 Oct)
Volunteers
We are proud to introduce our SWS LAC volunteer student from Peru. Karol will help us to build a wetland database in the Latin America & Caribbean region. She is doing 30 hours of volunteer work under the mentorship of Dr. Héctor Aponte and Dr. Tatiana Lobato de Magalhães.
Karol Salazar Navarro, Lima, Peru
Karol is a Peruvian Environmental Engineer from UNTELS University. She developed her undergraduate research focused on carbon capture in a coastal wetland of Lima. Karol is interested in the fields of climate change, coastal marine ecosystems, blue carbon, and environmental education linked with the latter subjects.
Are you interested in doing volunteer work at the SWS International chapter? Please, contact chapter co-chairs.
2019 International Chapter Meeting
2019 Society of Wetland Scientists Annual Meeting, Baltimore, USA. We met some International chapter members and shared awesome ideas and experiences with these fantastic people!
2019 International Wetlands of Distinction
We are very proud of having a Latin American wetland nominated as new potential Wetlands of Distinction, representing the International chapter! Congratulations Cayambe Coca, Quito, Ecuador!
2018 National Wetlands Indaba: South Africa
The South African National Wetlands Indaba was held in Kimberley, Northern Cape, from 8-11 October 2018. The Society of Wetland Scientists sponsored the awards for the best presentations at the conference. The outgoing President of the SWS, Arnold van der Valk, presented the awards at the Gala Dinner. We would like to congratulate the award winners:
- Ms. Jacolette Adam, Exigent, Richards Bay, South Africa.
- Ms. Mandy Carolissen, Geography Department, University of the Western Cape, South Africa.
- Dr. Michael Grenfell, Environmental and Water Science Unit, University of the Western Cape, South Africa.
- Ms. Margaret Lowies, Aurecon SA (Pty) Ltd, Port Elizabeth, South Africa.
L to R: Margaret Lowies, Michael Grenfell, outgoing SWS President Arnold va der Valk, and Jacolette Adam. Absent: Mandy Carolissen
I Congreso Internacional y II Congreso Nacional de Ríos y Humedales: Colombia
October 27, 2017
The SWS International Chapter - Latin America and Caribbean region, is pleased to award three memberships to outstanding participants at the I Congreso Internacional y II Congreso Nacional de Ríos y Humedales, October, 23 - 27, 2017, in Neiva, Colombia.
Best Poster
Premio a mejor Poster
Autores: Josué López, Eduardo Chica, Patricio Campo, Ana E. Ochoa, Iván Belesaca, Andrea Maza, Ximena Palomeque, Universidad de Cuenca (Ecuador)
Efecto del estrés hídrico sobre el crecimiento y supervivencia de dos especies nativas altoandinas en el Parque Nacional Cajas
Best Student Talk
Premio a mejor Ponencia de Estudiantes
Autor: Jacobo Campuzano, Universidad de Antioquia
Implementación de áreas y estrategias prioritarias para rehabilitación ecológica en el sistema cenagoso de Ayapel Córdoba
Best Wetland Picture
Premio a mejor Fotografía
Klaudia Cárdenas, Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas Alexander von Humboldt
Nombre de la foto: Pescador en Ciénaga de Palo
The International Chapter - Latin and Caribben region is also pleased to provide a presentation recording from I Congreso Internacional y II Congreso Nacional de Ríos y Humedales. Classification of macrohabitats: a powerful tool for comparative studies, sustainable development and environmental impact analysis in wetlands was presented by Prof. Dr. Wolfgang J. Junk (wjj@evolbio.mpg.de) from the National Institute for Science and Technology in Wetlands (INCT-INAU), Federal University of Mato Grosso (UFMT) in Cuiabá, Brazil.
View the presentation:
Without subtitles: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/recording/5603423902788522753
With subtitles: http://sws.ontrapages.com/youtuberegistration
A Wetland Declaration was signed by over 550 participants at the conference. Read the Declaration.
2016 National Wetlands Indaba: South Africa
November 11, 2016 -
South Africa’s annual National Wetlands Indaba (NWI) was held at the Swadini Resort in Mpumalanga Province over the period 25 to 28 October 2016, with 200 delegates attending the meeting from all over the country. The word “indaba” is a Zulu word referring to important conferences held by traditional tribal leaders to discuss important matters. The word today has widespread usage in South Africa to refer to a “gathering” or “meeting”. Attendees at these meetings include wetland scientists, practitioners, decision-makers, NGO’s and other interested parties who gather to talk about wetland matters in the country. Continue reading here.
For the program and presentations, please visit http://nwi16.wetlands.web.za/programme.htm.
SWS President Max Finlayson and the co-chair of the SWS International Chapter, Tatiana Lobato de Magalhães, will attend the International Wetlands Symposium in Cuba, Ciénaga de Matanzas, November 2019. They have been invited to present talks and participate in other activities. Additionally, Tatiana will promote a contest, awarding outstanding presenters with 5 free 1-year SWS membership.
The co-chair of the SWS International Chapter, Tatiana Lobato de Magalhães, will attend the Symposium of Aquatic Plants in Mexico: Advances and perspectives at the Mexican Botany Society Meeting, Aguascalientes, Mexico, October 2019. Tatiana has been invited to present on a talk about aquatic plants and connectivity and she will use this opportunity to introduce SWS to Mexican Botany Society members and invite them to become SWS affiliated members. Tatiana will promote a contest, awarding an outstanding presenter with a free 1-year SWS membership.
https://www.socbot.mx/congreso/
The co-chair of the SWS International Chapter, Ian Bredin, will attend the South African National Wetland Indaba from the 7-11 October 2019 in Tzaneen, Limpopo Province, South Africa. Ian has been invited to present on the opportunity for South African Wetland Society members to become SWS affiliated members.
XII Simposio International "Humedales 2019" 4 al 8 de noviembre del 2019 Cuba
Information HERE
Programa II Copeju ICA 2019 - HERE
Primer Annuncio XII Simposio International Humedales 2019 - HERE
II Congreso Peruano de Humedales
Latin America and Caribbean region Facebook page!