Assessment and Management Strategies of Mangrove Forests Alongside the Mangsalut River Basin (Brunei Darussalam, on the Island of Borneo)

Abstract

The benefits derived from mangrove forest wetland ecosystems are garnering increasing attention in coastal ecological research and mangrove forest management planning. However, because of their location, climate change issues, land use, and landscapes, coastal mangroves are vulnerable and suffer varying levels of stress and disturbance. There is often a variable and uncertain relationship between vulnerability and ecosystem structure and functional services. Degradation and vulnerability assessment and analysis can provide strategic planning initiatives with valuable insight into the processes of functional change resulting from management intervention. The study was conducted on the mangrove management and degradation situation in Brunei Darussalam. The mangrove forest covers about 4% of the country land area and has been recognized as one of the virgin management zones in the Asia Pacific region, but the present status and climate change impacts are degrading the coastal mangrove ecosystem. In addition, urbanization, settlement development, and industrial development contribute to the degradation. This study seeks the strategic management plan for the protection of coastal mangrove wetlands ecosystem in Brunei Darussalam.