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<p>Mangroves in the Maldives occur as small, fragmented wetlands embedded within inhabited Islands, yet their socioeconomic importance remains poorly documented. This study provides a comparative assessment of community-level mangrove values across four northern Islands: Kelaa, Kulhudhuffushi, Feydhoo and Kendhikulhudhoo. All surveyed households reported at least one mangrove-related use, with coir processing, thatch preparation, fruit collection, medicinal use and mangrove-associated fishing being the most common. Direct use values were generated mainly through thatch and coir production, yielding an estimated combined annual value of MVR 12.08&#xa0;million (≈ USD 0.8&#xa0;million) across the study Islands. Community respondents consistently ranked coastal protection and flood mitigation as the most important regulating services, while external experts placed greater emphasis on carbon sequestration. Cultural values were widely recognized, and willingness to engage in conservation, restoration and community-based ecotourism was high. Overall, the findings highlight Maldivian mangroves as multifunctional livelihood systems and effective nature-based solutions, underscoring the need to integrate mangrove values into Island development planning and community-centred conservation strategies.</p>

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Perceived and measured values of mangrove ecosystem services in small Island communities

  • 期刊论文

  • 出版模式：

    开放获取

  • 发表日期：

    2026年5月28日

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  • Aishath Ali Farhath,
  • S. Bijoy Nandan,
  • S. Sreelekshmi,
  • N. Regina Hershey,
  • Remy Ntakirutimana

摘要

Mangroves in the Maldives occur as small, fragmented wetlands embedded within inhabited Islands, yet their socioeconomic importance remains poorly documented. This study provides a comparative assessment of community-level mangrove values across four northern Islands: Kelaa, Kulhudhuffushi, Feydhoo and Kendhikulhudhoo. All surveyed households reported at least one mangrove-related use, with coir processing, thatch preparation, fruit collection, medicinal use and mangrove-associated fishing being the most common. Direct use values were generated mainly through thatch and coir production, yielding an estimated combined annual value of MVR 12.08 million (≈ USD 0.8 million) across the study Islands. Community respondents consistently ranked coastal protection and flood mitigation as the most important regulating services, while external experts placed greater emphasis on carbon sequestration. Cultural values were widely recognized, and willingness to engage in conservation, restoration and community-based ecotourism was high. Overall, the findings highlight Maldivian mangroves as multifunctional livelihood systems and effective nature-based solutions, underscoring the need to integrate mangrove values into Island development planning and community-centred conservation strategies.