Configuration of Allocated Mangrove Areas and Protection of Mangrove-Dominated Muddy Coasts: Knowledge Gaps and Recommendations

Phong, Nguyen Tan;Luom, Thai Thanh

Abstract

Mangrove-dominated muddy coasts have been allocated for developing livelihood models, particularly in developing countries. Uncontrolled allocation causes the mangrove forests to be vulnerable and even severely eroded. Restoration of vulnerable and eroded coastal areas has been merely conservation-driven, leaving livelihood-oriented mangrove forests unprotected. As a consequence, mangrove-dominated muddy coasts have not been well-protected. How livelihood oriented mangrove forests are configured towards protecting coasts and protecting local livelihoods remains a challenge. This study employed a critical review for addressing this matter. The results reveal that there is limited practical knowledge of configuring livelihood-oriented models for protecting the coasts. The configuration process reported in this study is merely based on technical recommendations in South East Asia to date. The recommended configuration commences with the first stage of voluntarily designating a certain percentage of allocated forests on the seaward side to protect coasts, relocating livelihood models in the gaps among current stands of mangrove forests landward. Abandoned ponds are ecologically restored using sediment trapping structures for providing suitable substrate for promoting regrowth of local mangrove species as the second stage, followed by designation of an appropriate percentage as mangrove belts on the seaward side. The two-step configuration is highly likely to be replicable and applicable nationally and regionally due to full consideration of different political, sociocultural, and environmental characteristics in Vietnam and Indonesia.

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Sustainability

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2071-1050

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MDPI

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DOI

10.3390/su13116258