Author(s): Laura Montano; Jasma Devi; Brad Henderson; Danica Tothova; Antoine De Ramon N’Yeurt; Andrew Dansie; William Glamore

Linked Author(s): Laura Montano

Keywords: Mangroves; Fiji; Ecosystem Services; Economic valuation

Abstract: Mangrove forests provide a wide range of ecosystem services globally. Pacific Island Countries (PICs) face high risks due to sea level rise and climate change, and mangroves play a crucial role in enhancing coastal protection while also being a primary source of food and raw materials. Despite their relevance, there is limited research on mangrove ecosystem services and economic valuation in the PICs. This study investigated the available information on the ecosystem services and economic valuation of mangroves in Fiji, comparing it with global trends. Food was identified as the most frequently studied mangrove service, followed by raw materials and coastal protection. This contrasts with global trends where carbon sequestration is the most researched ecosystem service. The analysis revealed that most of the economic valuations of mangrove ecosystem services in Fiji were below the global estimates, particularly for raw materials, maintenance of life cycles and bequest values. Additionally, eight ecosystem services identified in the Fijian literature missed economic valuation, suggesting a potential underestimation of their economic value. The results of this study highlight that, despite the significant influence of mangrove ecosystem services in Fiji, the available literature is still insufficient to understand their valuation. This limitation challenges promoting effective policies and management strategies for mangrove protection.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.64697/978-90-835589-7-4_41WC-P1645-cd

Year: 2025