Abstract
Mangroves provide multiple benefits for local communities’ livelihoods. However, in the Mahakam delta mangroves have declined considerably. This study examines the factors affecting households’ willingness to pay (WTP) for mangrove restoration in three villages in the Mahakam delta and determines whether a mangrove restoration project would be viable and should be implemented in the study area or not. The contingent valuation method was applied through a double-bound dichotomous choice format to estimate the WTP for mangrove restoration. The results showed that over 80% of perception of respondents considered the benefits of mangroves were essential that associated with their livelihoods. Local residents tended to be willing to pay more for mangrove restoration when they acknowledged the benefits of mangroves and when they felt that the sustainability of mangrove ecosystems was their responsibility. The benefits transfer method was also used to estimate the costs and benefits of an ongoing mangrove restoration project in the study area. The benefits provided by mangroves, as estimated based on households’ WTP, clearly outweighed the costs for the mangrove restoration project. We conclude that mangrove restoration should be implemented in the study area by increasing local communities’ awareness and responsibility to protect and manage the mangrove a sustainable.
Highlights
Mangroves grow in the intertidal zones between land and sea in the sub-tropics
The mean willingness to pay (WTP) was valued at IDR 409,507 per household per year; the number of households was 1229; and only 313 respondents were willing to pay for mangrove restoration
Mangroves, which have multiple functions, provide greater tangible and intangible benefits to local communities than other ecosystem types. This leads to the local community highly depending on mangrove for their livelihoods
Summary
Mangroves are highly productive and promote ecological diversity in coastal environments as well as supporting socioeconomic activities (Nagelkerken et al, 2008; Barbier et al, 2011). Mangroves protect coastal areas from tidal waves (Everard, Jha, & Russell, 2014) and filter suspended solids (Gautier, 2002). Mangroves are found in 123 countries, covering a global area of 152.360 km (ITTO, 2012). Indonesia has the largest area of mangrove growth in the world and is home to some of the world’s largest species of mangroves. Over 22.6% of the world’s mangroves originated in Indonesia (Giri et al, 2011). Spalding, Kainuma, and Collins (2010) noted that mangroves in Indonesia cover approximately 30,000 square kilometers and comprise 45 out of the 75 species of true mangroves found globally Over 22.6% of the world’s mangroves originated in Indonesia (Giri et al, 2011). Spalding, Kainuma, and Collins (2010) noted that mangroves in Indonesia cover approximately 30,000 square kilometers and comprise 45 out of the 75 species of true mangroves found globally
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
