Are mangroves worth replanting? The direct economic benefits of a community-based reforestation project

Walton, M. E. M., et al., 2006. Environmental Conservation

Original research (primary data)
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Abstract

Competition for coastal land use and overexploitation have reduced or degraded mangrove coverage throughout much of their distribution, especially in South-east Asia. Timber production was the initial motivation for early mangrove reforestation projects. More recently, benefits from protection against erosion and extreme weather events and direct improvements in livelihoods and food security are perceived as justifications for such restoration efforts. This study examines the socioeconomic impacts of a community-led reforestation project in the Philippines through a survey of the local fishers. Revenues from mangrove fisheries, tourism and timber result in an annual benefit to the community of US$ 315 ha(-1) yr(-1). This figure is likely to be considerably more if the contribution of the mangrove to the coastal catch of mangrove-associated species is included. This estimate only includes direct benefits to the community from mangroves, and not intangible benefits. such as coastal protection, which paradoxically is perceived by the community as one of the most important functions. More than 90% of all fishers, regardless of where they fished, thought the mangrove provided protection from storms and typhoons and acted as a nursery site and should be protected. Those fishing only in the mangrove perceived more benefits from the mangrove and were prepared to pay more to protect it than those fishing outside. This study concludes that replanting mangroves can have a significant economic impact on the lives of coastal communities. Acknowledgement of the value of replanted mangroves compared with other coastal activities and the benefits they bring to the more economically-vulnerable coastal dwellers should support better informed policy and decision-making with regard to coastal habitat restoration.

Case studies

Basic information

  • Case ID: INT-110-1
  • Intervention type: Combination
  • Intervention description:

    community-based reforestation project: The mangrove was replanted on mudflats once thickly forested with mangrove but where exploitation for firewood and building materials had left only a few isolated trees ... The mudflat was initially planted in 1990 with 45 ha of Rhizophora spp. and 5 ha of Nypa fruticans by a cooperative of 28 local families ... Pest damage to the plant- ation in 1997 was followed by infilling of naturally-recruited Avicennia marina and Sonneratia alba ... although the area of Rhizophora spp. has decreased to 43 ha, natural recruitment had increased overall mangrove cover to 75.5ha ... An ecotourism park constructed by the non-governmental organization USWAG (United Services Welfare Assistance Group) using Australian funding (AusAid) employs local staff to maintain a one kilometre walkway through the mangrove forest combination of restoration and management because although initial efforts were restoration, it has been some time since where actions are now focused on management of the restored area (e.g. the FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations) cited the Buswang mangrove as an example of excellence in forest management)

  • Landscape/sea scape ecosystem management: Yes
  • Climate change impacts Effect of Nbs on CCI Effect measures
    Wind damage  Positive clarification 8.23.2019 - the data they worked with reflected the proportion of fisher that thought it was effective, which is what should be recorded as the measure of effectiveness) perceptions of effectiveness are based on structured survey with fisher to gauge the benefits they perceive from the mangrove (coded binary response) to compare benefits as perceived by different groups of fisher community members perceptions of the value of the restored mangrove to "Act as a barrier against storm damage"
    Coastal erosion  Positive clarification ac 8.23.2019 - the data they worked with reflected the proportion of fisher that thought it was effective, which is what should be recorded as the measure of effectiveness) perceptions of effectiveness are based on structured survey with fisher to gauge the benefits they perceive from the mangrove (coded binary response) to compare benefits as perceived by different groups of fisher perception of community members that restored mangroves act as a 'sediment trap (percent of respondents that perceive sediment trap as one of the benefits)
    Storm surge  Positive community members perceptions of the value of the restored mangrove to "Act as a barrier against storm damage" clarification ac 8.23.2019 - the data they worked with reflected the proportion of fisher that thought it was effective, which is what should be recorded as the measure of effectiveness) perceptions of effectiveness are based on structured survey with fisher to gauge the benefits they perceive from the mangrove (coded binary response) to compare benefits as perceived by different groups of fisher
  • Approach implemented in the field: Yes
  • Specific location:

    replanted mangrove situated at the mouth of the Aklan River, in the Aklan province of Western Visayas, Panay Island, Philippines

  • Country: Philippines
  • Habitat/Biome type: Mangroves |
  • Issue specific term: Community-based (general)

Evidence

  • Notes on intervention effectivness: effectiveness determined from interviews of community members who were asked if they perceived 'barrier against storm damage' and 'acts as a sediment trap' as benefits that resulted from the restored mangroves
  • Is the assessment original?: Yes
  • Broadtype of intervention considered: Not applicable
  • Compare effectivness?: No
  • Compared to the non-NBS approach: Not applicable
  • Report greenhouse gas mitigation?: No
  • Impacts on GHG: Not applicable
  • Assess outcomes of the intervention on natural ecosystems: Yes
  • Impacts for the ecosystem: Positive
  • Ecosystem measures: 'increases biodiversity' was a perceived benefit of the mangrove restoration
  • Assess outcomes of the intervention on people: Yes
  • Impacts for people: Positive
  • People measures: From perceptions of community members, restored mangroves provide fish nurseries to support fisheries (which provides income and food) and provide other resources such as timber and eco-tourism Also from text "Estimations of frequency for gleaning often included comments such as ‘when we have no food’ or ‘when I have no work’ suggested the mangrove was used as an important emergency food store for much of the population."
  • Considers economic costs: Yes
  • Economic appraisal conducted: Yes
  • Economic appraisal described:
  • Economic costs of alternative considered: No
  • Compared to an alternative: Not reported

Evaluation methodology

  • Type of data: Quantitative
  • Is it experimental: No
  • Experimental evalution done: Not applicable
  • Non-experimental evalution done: Empirical case study
  • Study is systematic: