Cumulative Impacts of Human Interventions and Climate Change on Mangrove Ecosystems of South and Southeast Asia: An Overview. (9th April 2013)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: DasGupta, Rajarshi; Shaw, Rajib
• Other Names: Garcia-Rodriguez Felipe Academic Editor.
• Is Part Of: Journal of ecosystems. Volume 2013(2013)
• Publication Date: 2013-04-09
• Subjects: Ecosystem management -- Periodicals; Ecosystem management; Electronic journals; Periodicals; 577
• DOI: 10.1155/2013/379429
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2356-7341

Abstract

Abstract : The paper provides an insight into the chronological extinction of the Indo-Malayan mangroves along the South and Southeast Asian coast and categorizes several area-specific anthropogenic and climatic factors that triggered the annihilation of 1.9 million ha of diverse mangroves. On a regional scale, coastal agricultural land development and shrimp farming were identified as major factors accounting for 90% of the reported loss. The paper also focuses on the existing mangrove management framework of nine developing countries of this region and conducts a comparative analysis of the prevailing legislative arrangement for mangrove management. In general, weak enforcements of legal measures and improper monitoring have been identified as major drawbacks in conservation and restoration initiatives. On the other hand, this paper strongly encourages the prospects of community-based mangrove management (CBMM) and provides good examples from the ecoregion through comparative case studies. Finally, it concludes with recommendations that outline a suitable mangrove management strategy involving more community empowerment, legalization and mainstreaming of comanagement initiatives, inclusive benefit sharing, and regional cooperation for transboundary ecosystem management.