As part of my doctoral research journey, I undertook a research visit to the Laboratory of Biomathematics and Forest Estimation (LABEF), University of Abomey-Calavi, Benin. The visit was an important preparatory step towards conducting my fieldwork in the Mono Transboundary Biosphere Reserve (MTBR), providing opportunities to strengthen my research skills, establish connections with relevant stakeholders, and deepen my understanding of research approaches in biodiversity conservation and ecosystem sustainability.
During my stay, I engaged with researchers and other relevant actors, which helped me establish connections with different stakeholders and build a foundation for subsequent fieldwork activities in the MTBR. These interactions were particularly valuable in preparing for engagement with the diverse actors involved in mangrove ecosystem management and sustainability in the study area.
The visit also provided opportunities for professional development through several training sessions covering scientific publishing, research ethics, and quantitative data analysis tools. These sessions strengthened my understanding of responsible research practices, academic writing and analytical approaches, while broadening my methodological preparation for the doctoral research.
Overall, this research visit contributed to my academic and methodological development and helped lay the groundwork for the fieldwork that followed. It also reinforced the value of institutional collaboration, stakeholder engagement, and continuous learning in conducting interdisciplinary research on ecosystem sustainability.