Ecosystem Service Valuations of Mangrove Ecosystems to Inform Decision Making and Future Valuation Exercises

Abstract

The valuation of ecosystem services is a complex process as it includes several dimensions (ecological, socio-cultural and economic) and not all of these can be quantified in monetary units. The aim of this paper is to conduct an ecosystem services valuation study for mangroves ecosystems, the results of which can be used to inform governance and management of mangroves. We used an expert-based participatory approach (the Delphi technique) to identify, categorize and rank the various ecosystem services provided by mangrove ecosystems at a global scale. Subsequently we looked for evidence in the existing ecosystem services literature for monetary valuations of these ecosystem service categories throughout the biogeographic distribution of mangroves. We then compared the relative ranking of ecosystem service categories between the monetary valuations and the expert based analysis. The experts identified 16 ecosystem service categories, six of which are not adequately represented in the literature. There was no significant correlation between the expert based valuation (the Delphi technique) and the economic valuation, indicating that the scope of valuation of ecosystem services needs to be broadened. Acknowledging this diversity in different valuation approaches, and developing methodological frameworks that foster the pluralism of values in ecosystem services research, are crucial for maintaining the credibility of ecosystem services valuation. To conclude, we use the findings of our dual approach to valuation to make recommendations on how to assess and manage the ecosystem services provided by mangrove ecosystems.

Have mangrove restoration projects worked? An in‐depth study in Sri Lanka

“…In addition, mangroves continue to be widely used by coastal communities (e.g. for livelihood like food, fuel, subsistence, shelter, and tourism) throughout most of their geographic distribution (Walters et al ; Lee et al ; Mukherjee et al ).…”

Effects of Pleistocene sea-level fluctuations on mangrove population dynamics: a lesson from Sonneratia alba

“…They provide essential support to a variety of terrestrial and marine species through nutrient and organic matter sinking and transformation, protection from coastal erosion, and sediment control [2–4]. Mangroves also play crucial roles in daily human life, by creating fisheries, supplying primary raw materials for chemical and medical industries, and protecting against floods and tsunamis, especially for those living within 10 km of an area harboring significant mangrove forests [3, 5–7]. However, mangrove communities have faced rapid decline; between 35 and 86% of the area once home to mangroves has been lost over the past 30 years, due to both climate change and human activity [8].…”

Assessing wetland services for improved development decision-making: a case study of mangroves in coastal Bangladesh

“…The extent to which mangroves offer services depend on, among others, habitat extent and condition of the ecosystem (Dahdouh-Guebas et al 2005;Alongi 2008). Unsustainable exploitation of mangroves resources may produce immediate benefits but in the medium to longer term undermine the continuous delivery of the wide services of ecosystems (Carpenter et al 2009;Mukherjee et al 2014).…”

“…Qualitative description of such biospheresupporting attributes not captured in traditional commodity markets is quite straightforward, but is often less persuasive in decision-making than more quantitative valuation Alongi 2002;Chee 2004;Curtis 2004). While translating the value of ecosystem services into more explicit monetary terms is increasingly advocated (Bateman et al 2013;Mukherjee et al 2014), it requires sufficient knowledge of stakeholder activities and preferences, the socio-economic context and local administrative structures to effectively support decision-making. It also, fundamentally, requires methodology that is able to measure and value not only the substantive provisioning goods that can be obtained from the environment, but also the importance of those supporting, regulating and cultural services that are less amenable to direct economic valuation.…”