This transdisciplinary research project aims to document the marginalization of climate scientists and knowledges from tropical countries in the Global South, while highlighting the importance of independent tropical data to support global assessments 
Specifically, this project seeks to systematically analyze geographical representation of tropical countries in the Global South in scientific knowledge production on climate science across the research cycle, from data generation to scientific analysis and publication output. Using a postcolonial conceptual frame, we will then identify the causes that explain the geographical imbalances in scientific knowledge production and shed light on the practices and legacies of coloniality in knowledge production. Geographical biases are also apparent in the relatively small number of measurement stations for studying cycling of carbon and water in tropical ecosystems. We will perform quantitative model analysis to assess the importance of these tropical measurements for better understanding the regional and global cycling of carbon and water. Finally, building on the analytical elements of the research, we will identify best practices for inclusive and open climate science.  
The project will employ a mixed-methods approach, consisting of large-n quantitative statistical analyses and a pantropical multiple case study including countries from different tropical countries and with different levels of development. The aim of the fieldwork is to explore the local research practices for producing knowledge and identify barriers to open and inclusive climate science. 

• dr. Gerbrand Koren
• Carmen Mallqui Caballero
• dr. Carole-Anne Senit

The coastal region of Suriname is low-lying, flat and vulnerable for anticipated sea level rise and increasing storm frequencies. This area is also essential for agriculture, for fresh drink water from the sandy sediments and for human settlements. Managing such vulnerable and valuable environment requires in-depth understanding of governing processes and interactions steering the system. The coastal system is extremely complex: large mud supplies from the Amazone results in mud banks migrating along the coast influenced by complex wind patterns. These mud banks create opportunities for mangroves that in turn play an important role protecting the coast and for flora/fauna. Apart from natural dynamics, anthropogenic activities such as mangrove removal, sand mining and channel dredging result in ecosystem degradation. Sea level rise and increasing storminess may cause erosion and submersion of the coast. The project contributes to SDG13: Climate Action through developing an innovative, combined model simulating coastal dynamics accounting for interactions between mud banks, waves, winds and mangroves. The model will be used to explore impacts of climate change and human interference aiming at developing sustainable management solutions. Time-series of earth observation images will be analysed to map mangrove dynamics and mud bank migration. The project contributes to SDG4: Education by involving the Suriname University and create awareness by collaborating with local practitioners (WWF, CI, UNDP, WI). Results will profoundly impact longterm coastal protection by providing missing knowledge and innovative tools optimizing coastal management. Together with Wetlands International scalability of expertise to other mangrove coasts (Guianas, Asia) is anticipated.

• prof. dr. Steven de Jong
• prof. dr. Gerben Ruessink
• Ginny Bijnaar MSc
• dr. Job de Vries MSc