• Citer

Valuation of ecosystem services by local communities around Matang Mangrove Forest Reserve, Malaysia

par Yue, Ying
Promoteur Dahdouh-Guebas, Farid
Co-Promoteur Behara, Satyanarayana ;Huge, Jean
Publication Non publié, 2024-06-28

Mémoire

• Accès en ligne
• Détails
• Contenu
• Statistiques

Résumé :

Matang Mangrove Forest Reserve (MMFR), located on the west coast of Peninsular Malaysia, isone of the longest managed mangrove forests for sustainable charcoal and pole production.This study aims to understand the communities living within and adjacent to MMFR todocument the ethnobiological knowledge in the region, where mangrove wood harvesting isstrictly regulated. Across eight fishing villages and towns, face-to-face interviews wereconducted using questionnaires with a systematic sampling of households. Questionnaire topicscovered mangrove-related knowledge and collection, mangrove wood products utilizationpatterns, fisheries, and perceived changes.Out of 124 responses, 76 are from Chinese communities and 48 from Malay communities.Overall, 31% use mangrove firewood or charcoal as fuel, 44% use mangrove poles forconstruction, 13% for medicine, and 2% for food, drinks, or animal feed. In general, Malaycommunities have higher knowledge and utilization levels than Chinese communities thatimmigrated 150 years ago. There is a heavy reliance on charcoal to cook certain foods and onpoles for piling in construction. Mangrove creeks and coastal areas are important fishinggrounds for 56% of the respondents, where illegal fishing practices are prevalent.Sea level rise and sedimentation are prominent problems, and there are also concerns aboutpollution and inappropriate waste disposal. Chinese communities in villages that did notmodernize quickly are experiencing depopulation.Our findings show that coastal mangrove fishing communities are facing new challenges due tosocial and environmental changes. Supporting policies and campaigns should therefore be inplace to help these communities in transition.