A Review on Biodiversity, Ecosystem Services, and Perceptions of New Zealand’s Mangroves: Can We Make Informed Decisions about Their Removal?

Abstract

Mangrove cover is increasing in estuaries and harbours in many areas on North Island, New Zealand. The expansion of mangroves has been attributed to anthropogenic land-use change, including urbanisation and conversion of land to agriculture. Rapid expansion of mangroves in the coastal landscape has created discord in local communities over their importance in terms of the services they deliver to both wildlife and people. Some community groups have been advocates for the large-scale removal of mangrove habitat, whilst other local residents oppose this removal. This review paper investigated and discussed pertinent biodiversity and ecosystem services studies based in New Zealand mangroves from 1950 to 2017. Results showed that the majority of biodiversity studies have targeted particular species or groups of organisms, with a focus on benthic invertebrate communities. Deficits remain in our knowledge of this expanding forest and shrub ecosystem, notably the terrestrial component of biodiversity, species community-shifts with landscape fragmentation, and associated cultural values. It is recommended that broader species assessments and a longer-term approach be applied to biodiversity monitoring in mangroves, coupled with Mātauranga Māori (Māori knowledge) and western science for holistic management of this coastal ecosystem.

A general framework for propagule dispersal in mangroves

“…The rate of mangrove establishment in salt marsh may be an important determinant of which type of habitat will dominate the coasts in the temperate–subtropical zones of the future, and holds important implications for ecosystem structure and functioning. In New Zealand, mangrove expansion has led to a societal debate and discord about possible removal, in view of shifting ecosystem services (Dencer‐Brown et al , ).…”

Keanekaragaman Mangrove dan Pemanfaatannya di Desa Daiama, Kecamatan Landu Leko, Kabupaten Rote Ndao, Propinsi Nusa Tenggara Timur

“…Dengan memperhatikan kebutuhan masyarakat dalam memanfaatkan nilai ekonomi mangrove serta melibatkan masyarakat dalam pengelolaan maka pelestarian ekosistem mangrove akan lebih berhasil (Febryano et al, 2014;Utomo et al, 2017). Karena pengelolaan mangrove yang tepat membutuhkan keseimbangan antara nilai-nilai jasa lingkungan dan kebutuhan dan keinginan masyarakat lokal (Davinsy et al, 2015;Dencer-Brown et al, 2018). Karena itu penelitian ini dilakukan untuk mengetahui keanekaragaman dan kelimpahan mangrove dan pemanfaatannya oleh masyarakat.…”

Community knowledge and utilization of mangroves in Panabo Mangrove Park, Panabo City, Davao del Norte, Philippines

“…However, knowledge deficits of the mangrove ecosystem and its services exist (Dencer-Brown et al 2018). As noted, there are local populations that have limited knowledge of mangrove species and their ecological and economic benefits (Satyanarayana et al 2012).…”