Valuing mangrove conservation in southern Thailand

Mangroves are ecologically, important coastal wetland systems that ale under severe treat globally: In Thailand, the main cause Of mangrove conversion is shrimp farming, which is a major source Of export income for the country However local communities benefit from many direct and indirect uses of mangrove ecosystems and may have a strong incentive to protect these areas, which puts them into direct confrontational with shrimp farm operators and, by proxy government authorities. The article examines whether or not the full conversion of mangroves into commercial shrimp farms is worthwhile once the key environmental impacts ape taken into account. The estimated economic value of mangrove forests to a local community, is in the range of $27,264-$35,921 per hectare. This Estimate includes the value to local communities of direct use of wood and other resources collected from the mangroves as well as additional eternal benefits in terms of off-Shore fishery linkages and coastline protection from shrimp, farms. The results indicate that, although shrimp farming creates enormous private benefits, it is not so economically viable once the externalities generated bq, mangrove destruction and water pollution ale included. There is also an incentive for local communities to protect mangroves, which in turn implies that the rights of: local people to guard and protect this resource should be formally, recognized and enforced by law.