Perceptions of local communities on mangrove forests, their services and management: implications for Eco-DRR and blue carbon management for Eastern Samar, Philippines

Background

Mangrove ecosystems are recognized for their multi-functionality. They serve as indicators of upland environmental conditions, sites for carbon sequestration, and habitats for diverse fauna and flora and regulatory services against natural hazards like storm surges. Despite these benefits for local communities and national economies, people often overexploit and convert mangrove ecosystems to other land uses, making them among the most threatened ecosystems globally. While existing policies in the Philippines aim to integrate ecological, physical, and social elements in mangrove management, researchers still need to explore from local perspectives the connection between these policies and the direct beneficiaries in coastal communities.

Goals and Methods

The study aims to determine resource utilization patterns, awareness levels of ecosystem services and current management plans, and perceptions of natural and anthropogenic threats among coastal villagers in Eastern Samar, Philippines. Researchers conduct household surveys in four municipalities in Eastern Samar affected by Super Typhoon Haiyan in 2013. The survey uses a structured questionnaire to assess resource utilization, awareness of ecosystem services (provisioning, regulating, cultural, and supporting), and threat perceptions. Researchers use statistical analysis to examine the relationships between socio-demographic profiles, resource utilization, awareness of ecosystem services and management plans, and participation in coastal management activities.

Conclusions and Takeaways

While fishing is a primary use and awareness of mangroves as a food source is high among fishermen, the harvesting of mangroves for firewood and lumber is low, perhaps due to awareness of their broader ecosystem services and strict local enforcement against illegal cutting. Awareness of regulating services, such as coastal protection, is high, likely due to direct experience with typhoons, but awareness of climate change mitigation through carbon sequestration is relatively low. There is also a correlation between awareness of coastal management plans and participation in activities like coastal clean-ups and mangrove planting, indicating the important role of local government units in educating communities and implementing these plans. Finally, local communities perceive natural disasters as the most concerning threat to mangrove ecosystems. The authors suggest that mangrove management plans should increase efforts to educate local communities about the climate change mitigating functions of mangrove ecosystems, improve the partnership between local communities and government units, and highlight the potential of incorporating ecosystem-based disaster risk reduction (Eco-DRR) strategies into municipal coastal plans.