Local Livelihoods
A historical analysis of the drivers of loss and degradation of Indonesia’s mangrovesBackgroundIndonesia is an important global hotspot for mangroves, with Indonesia containing over 20% of the world’smangroves. Low-lying mangrove areas are important for shrimp farming in Indonesia, both for local and international markets, which has led to mangrove deforestation and complex mangrove land-use governance. To develop more sustainable mangrove management strategies, it is important to assess Indonesia’s history of mangrove management to understand the main drivers of deforestation. Available with subscription or purchase |
A Water Quality Evaluation of Integrated Mangrove Aquaculture System for Water Treatment in Super-Intensive White Leg Shrimp PondBackgroundWhite leg shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) farming is an integral part of Indonesia’s international market. Economic pressure to expand white leg shrimp aquaculture ponds leads to deforestation and degradation of mangroves. However, integrating shrimp aquaculture with mangroves can be a way to improve pond sustainability and environmental quality, especially in super-intensive aquaculture systems, which are highly controlled, technology-based aquaculture ponds that have high stocking densities to maximize shrimp yields. Open access copy available |
Integrated mangrove-shrimp cultivation: Potential for blue carbon sequestrationBackgroundMangrove deforestation and degradation have increased due to the growth of shrimp farming in tropical coastal environments. This has serious implications for global climate change mitigation, since mangroves are the most carbon-rich forests in the tropics, and converting mangroves into aquaculture ponds increases blue carbon emissions. Integrated mangrove-shrimp cultivation systems can help to prevent mangrove loss and curb blue carbon emissions through pairing shrimp aquaculture with mangrove restoration. Open access copy available |
Integrated mangrove aquaculture: The sustainable choice for mangroves and aquaculture?BackgroundOpen access copy available |
Conservation for production? The benefits of mangroves for sustainable shrimp aquacultureBackgroundIncreasing shrimp demand and declining annual shrimp harvests threaten mangroves in East Kalimantan, Indonesia, due to deforestation from shrimp aquaculture expansion. Silvofishery practices that combine shrimp aquaculture with mangrove conservation are promoted to prevent further mangrove deforestation while still protecting the shrimp farming industry. Mangrove ecosystem services are essential for aquaculture systems to thrive, so it is important to determine successful biophysical elements of silvofishery systems to encourage the development of more sustainable aquaculture practices. Open access copy available |
Mangroves protect coastal economic activity from hurricanesBackgroundWith more frequent and severe weather events anticipated due to climate change, coastal communities are interested in practical coastal defense interventions to protect their public and private assets and prevent disruptions to economic activity from tropical storms. Studies have documented mangrove forests’ ability to reduce wave action, wind velocity, and storm surge, making mangroves a cost-effective form of coastal protection. Yet, the relationship between how large a mangrove belt must be to provide significant protection and how mangroves mitigate tropical storm effects and economic damages is still unknown. Open access copy available |
Participatory scenarios and spatial modelling to explore mangrove ecosystem services futures in Lamu, KenyaBackgroundLamu County, Kenya contains Kenya’s most extensive mangrove forests, which provide many vital ecosystem services (ES) for local communities (e.g., nutrition, building material, coastal protection, climate regulation). Land use and land cover change (LULCC), such as coastal development or infrastructure projects, threaten mangroves and their ES. Participatory scenario planning can help communities develop models of future LULCC grounded in both scientific evidence and local experience. Using these models in Lamu could inform future policy to preserve Lamu’s mangroves and balance country-level economic needs with local ES. Open access copy available |
Ecosystem Services of Mangroves: A Systematic Review and Synthesis of Contemporary Scientific LiteratureBackgroundMangroves provide many ecosystem services, such as breeding grounds for aquatic organisms, sediment accumulation sites, coastal protection, nutrient cycling, and carbon sequestration. Beyond ecological functions, mangroves also sustain coastal livelihoods by providing natural resources and contributing to local economies. However, anthropogenic pressures from coastal development, agriculture, and aquaculture degrade mangrove ecosystems and the important ecosystem services they provide. Therefore, it is important to quantify and describe mangrove ecosystem services to better inform coastal policymakers and managers interested in mangrove conservation. Open access copy available |
The construction of biodiversity in conservation policy discourse: A multiscalar analysisBackgroundOpen access copy available |
Assessing the Environmental and Socioeconomic Impacts of Mangrove Loss in Indonesia: A Synthesis for Science-Based PolicyBackgroundIndonesia’s rate of mangrove loss has accelerated to about 40% over the past 30 years. Despite the government’s policies and investments for mitigating mangrove degradation, low seedling survival, and poor site suitability have impeded restoration progress. This study aims to review mangrove loss in Indonesia and assess the negative impacts of mangrove loss on carbon stocks, local livelihoods, and ecosystem benefits (e.g., fisheries, coastal protection, biodiversity). Open access copy available |
