Economic Valuation of Mangrove Forest Ecosystem in Zamboanga City, Philippines

Abstract

Mangrove forests are considered one of the most productive and biologically diverse ecosystems in the world. The purpose of conducting this economic valuation study of the mangrove forest ecosystem is to ensure the effective use of mangrove resources by raising the public and decision-maker's awareness of the potential use and benefits of mangroves to the community and the environment. This study assessed the total economic value of the mangrove forest ecosystem in Zamboanga City, Philippines by taking into account the direct use values of mangroves (for example; shrimp value, crab value, and mollusks value), indirect use values of mangroves (for example, the fish value obtained from the nursery and breeding grounds potential of mangroves, coastal protection value of mangroves which include sediment trap for erosion prevention and mangrove protection from strong waves and flooding, and sequestering carbon in the atmosphere), and the people’s willingness-to-pay and willingness-to-work for the option value of the mangrove forest (for example; future potential direct use and indirect use of mangroves). A research survey was conducted to the mangrove beneficiaries (for example, fisherman, crab and shrimp seeker, shellfish/mollusks picker) of Barangay Mampang, and Barangay Talon-Talon, Zamboanga City. Data was collected in April 2022. The market price method was used to calculate the direct use value of mangroves. Replacement cost and Benefit transfer methods were used to assess the indirect use value of mangroves. While the Contingent valuation method was used to determine the option value of mangroves by assessing the willingness-to-pay and willingness-to-work of the respondents for the mangrove conservation and protection program. The total economic value of mangroves in Barangay Mampang and Barangay Talon-Talon, Zamboanga City amounts to 1,559,918.88 United States Dollars/year. The direct use value of mangroves reached 661,703.47 United States Dollars/year from the operational costs and market prices of the various fishery resources provided by the mangrove forest. While the Indirect use value of mangroves reached 881,524.30 United States Dollars/year obtained from the potential of mangroves to provide nursery, feeding, and breeding grounds for fish, protect the coast from flooding and storm surges, and sequester carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. The average willingness-to-pay of the respondents for the mangrove conservation and protection program is 8.16 United States Dollars/household/year. Their mean willingness-to-work is 6 labor days/month, equivalent to 184.86 United States Dollars/year in monetary terms at the local wage rate. The total option value of mangroves obtained by adding the amount willing-to-pay and amount willing-to-work of the respondents reached 22,296.11 United States Dollars/year. Mangrove Forest benefits the coastal communities by providing nursery, feeding, and breeding grounds for fishery resources, protecting coastal communities from strong waves, and flooding, and sequestering carbon in the atmosphere. To sustainably maintain the provision of goods and services provided by the mangroves, participation in cash or in kind of the beneficiaries are essential as part of the mangrove conservation initiatives in Zamboanga City. The researchers of the study recommend the policymakers, and the local government unit of Zamboanga to use this economic valuation study as a reference in implementing mangrove conservation programs and developing policies concerning the effective use and management of mangrove resources.