Abstract
Seaward expansion of New Zealand’s mangrove Avicennia marina (subsp.) australasica in estuaries has led to disparity in opinion over their social-ecological value. This study investigated existing stakeholders and interested parties’ perceptions and attitudes towards mangroves, focusing on four sites in Auckland. A mixed methods design was used consisting of semi-structured interviews, ratings of importance of mangrove ecosystem services and issues and Q-sorts on mangrove social-ecological statements. 29 participants were interviewed in person. Results revealed a disparity in perceptions and attitudes towards mangroves. Community Groups displayed strongly negative opinions towards mangrove preservation and Conservation Organisations expressed a strongly positive stance. The occupation of participants was a significant factor in the ratings. Overall, sediment and nutrient retention were rated as the most important ecosystem services. The desire for reversion of estuaries to a “pre-mangrove” state is the greatest issue affecting mangroves. Q-analysis revealed loading of participants onto two factors representing (1) a pro-preservation attitude towards mangrove and (2) a neutral view. Managing sediment loads and nutrient run-off in the wider catchment were highlighted as ways to reduce mangrove expansion. Improving water quality and the health of the harbour was of utmost priority to kaitiaki (Māori guardians of the environment). This study provides critical insights into the management of mangroves as social-ecological systems.
Highlights
Mangroves are salt-tolerant trees or shrubs, which grow in the intertidal zones between land and sea
New Zealand has some of the world’s most southerly mangroves, with the grey mangrove Avicennia marina australasica existing here for at least 11,000 years [3]. Seaward expansion of this species into estuaries exacerbated by high sediment loads from land-use change has altered the ecology of coastal areas [4,5,6]
Whilst mangroves are recognised as being part of New Zealand’s indigenous flora, and protected under the Resource Management Act (RMA) 1991 [10], they may be removed in particular areas for a range of social and ecological reasons
Summary
Mangroves are salt-tolerant trees or shrubs, which grow in the intertidal zones between land and sea. Mangrove preservation and removal in New Zealand is a contentious issue This temperate forest and shrub ecosystem was thought to possess the ecological values of tropical and subtropical mangroves, with a predominantly conservation-based approach to their management [7,8]. In the past twenty years, attitudes towards mangroves in New Zealand have become polarized, with applications for resource consents (official permission to conduct operations which have an environmental impact) to remove expanded areas of mangroves [9,10]. Whilst mangroves are recognised as being part of New Zealand’s indigenous flora, and protected under the Resource Management Act (RMA) 1991 [10], they may be removed in particular areas for a range of social and ecological reasons. Demographic information of age group, ethnicity, gender, occupation, place of residence and years at residence were recorded
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