Economic valuation of mangrove ecosystem services: a management framework for sustainable coastal biodiversity conservation

Abstract Mangrove ecosystems exist as essential coastal habitats which provide critical advantages to both biodiversity and human populations yet face severe threats from widespread environmental destruction. This research study focused on creating and validating an all-inclusive system which measures the economic value of mangrove ecosystem services throughout the West Asia region. The researchers collected data from 45 sample plots located in essential habitats throughout Iran, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Oman, Qatar and Bahrain, in addition to 850 visitor questionnaires. The researchers evaluated four primary services which included coastal protection, carbon sequestration, fisheries support and ecotourism through established valuation procedures. The research results established that mangroves possess an average economic value of $27,209 per hectare each year which varies between $14,500 and $43,102 across different locations. The highest share of coastal protection reached 56% which equals $18,650, while carbon sequestration accounted for 24% which equals $7,850, and tourism made up 15% which equals $4,850, with fisheries support making up 5% which equals $1,540. Protected sites had a 93% higher economic value than unprotected sites (p < 0.001). The cost-benefit analysis demonstrated that sustainable mangrove management proved to be more beneficial than both aquaculture conversion and coastal development, because it produced a 12.4 benefit-cost ratio and generated $342,800 per hectare net present value over 20 years. The Monte Carlo simulations which used 10,000 iterations predicted that the total value would range between $20,800 and $45,600 per hectare each year. The results of this study show that mangrove protection is not only environmentally necessary but also provides economic justification. The system of area prioritization which uses a combined index of economic value biological significance and threat assessment enables regional managers and policymakers to achieve optimal resource distribution within their limited resources.

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