The System Dynamic of Mangrove Ecotourism of “Kampung Blekok” Situbondo East Java Indonesia: Economic and Ecological Dimension

Abstract

Mangroves that grow in coastal areas have ecological and economic values. Research on the behavior of a mangrove ecotourism system is needed as a basis for management to provide sustainable benefits. This study aimed to describe the conceptualization of a mangrove ecotourism system, formulate a mangrove ecotourism model and formulate a scenario for Kampung Blekok mangrove ecotourism in Situbondo Regency. This study used a quantitative analysis with a dynamic system approach to see the behavior of the ecotourism system on the economic and ecological dimensions. The research results on the conceptualization of the ecotourism system with causal loop diagrams showed that the economic subsystem was composed of response variables in the form of ecotourism management income and community business income in ecotourism areas and gross regional domestic product. Meanwhile, the ecological subsystem consisted of response variables in mangroves’ death, planting, and rehabilitation. Model formulation with stock-flow diagrams demonstrated the relationship between response variables to explain the system. In the economic subsystem, the variable of community business acceptance had the highest sensitivity that could affect ecotourism income. While in the ecological subsystem, the highest sensitivity was on the variable of mangrove planting, which could affect the density of mangroves. The combination of economic subsystem scenarios optimized tourist visits and streamlined spending. The combination of ecological subsystem scenarios that became the priority was the addition of mangrove seedlings and controlling pests that caused the death of mangrove seedlings. Stakeholders are expected to synergize with each other in managing activities in ecotourism. Apart from exploiting their economic potential, the community and the private sector are also expected to participate in maintaining compliance with regulations to preserve mangroves. The government should monitor and enforce regulations related to ecotourism and support the development of mangrove ecotourism so that its benefits are sustainable.

Mangrove area degradation and management strategies in Indonesia: A review

“…The results of the study show that coastal management strategies in several regions of Indonesia have partially shown success (Mourmouris et al, 2016), which is characterized by the increasing extent of mangrove restoration, increasing public awareness of coastal protection and increasing income of coastal communities (Katili et al, 2018;Utami et al, 2022). Apart from these conditions, there are still several areas that have not succeeded in managing and restoring mangroves.…”

“…The massive damage to mangroves and coastal areas in various regions in Indonesia is a problem amidst the increasing impact of climate change and the high level of poverty in coastal communities (Utami et al, 2022). Mitigation and coastal management efforts have been exerted in response to the severe problems related to the damage to coastal areas in several locations.…”

Estimated changes in carbon stock due to changes in land use around Yogyakarta International Airport

“…Increased land conversion oriented to economic aspects, on the one hand, can encourage rapid national economic growth and improve welfare, but on the other hand, the impact of land conversion further exacerbates environmental damage, increases temperature, causes various disasters, and threatens human life (Ling et al, 2023;Lyu et al, 2023;Winkler et al, 2023). In addition, the increase in forest and peatland fires and wood needs in various countries are also the cause of increased CO2 release, which contributes to the adverse effects of climate change/global warming (Susilo et al, 2018;Utami and Salim, 2021;Utami et al, 2022;Krisnawati et al, 2023;Muthuri et al, 2023;Shiraishi et al, 2023;Sweeney et al, 2023).…”

“…Indonesia, as a country that has a big contribution to this issue, has subsequently established regulations/various laws and policies of a strategic nature, including the establishment of institutions responsible for protecting mangroves/peat as well as various moratoriums to reduce carbon emissions. Apart from that, sustainable land management strategies, including through silvofishery systems, agroforestry, and ecotourism, are implemented so that economic and environmental aspects can be sustainable (Susilo et al, 2018;Utami and Salim, 2021;Utami et al, 2022;Muthuri et al, 2023). Even though various schemes have been implemented, the increase in carbon emissions continues to occur (Mujiyo et al, 2021).…”

Fostering Environmental Stewardship through Mangrove Ecotourism: A Study on Gili Sulat's Educational Impact

“…The conservation of carbon-rich mangroves has been identified as a high-priority component of strategies to mitigate climate change, with deforestation and conversion of mangroves contributing significantly to global emissions from tropical deforestation (Murdiyarso et al, 2015). Furthermore, the economic subsystem of mangrove ecotourism is composed of response variables such as ecotourism management income, community business income, and gross regional domestic product, highlighting the economic and ecological dimensions of this form of tourism (Utami et al, 2022).…”