Socio-economic valuation of seagrass meadows in the Pulai River Estuary, Peninsular Malaysia, through a wellbeing lens

2020 ◽  
Vol 71 (8) ◽  
pp. 877 ◽  
Author(s):  
Serina Abdul Rahman ◽  
Siti Maryam Yaakub
Keyword(s):  
Ecosystem Service ◽  
Economic Valuation ◽  
River Estuary ◽  
Peninsular Malaysia ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Seagrass Habitat ◽  
Natural Habitats ◽  
Economic Values ◽  
Seagrass Meadows ◽  
Habitat Value

Ecosystem-service valuation is a useful tool for assessing potential costs of a development, from potential habitat-rehabilitation costs or habitat-value losses. Such an assessment can help avoid or mitigate cost implications from such losses. Furthermore, most environmental-impact assessments focus solely on ecological services, without considering the socio-ecological-economic relationships that provide a more holistic assessment of a habitat by incorporating socio-economic values. This study combines the benefit-transfer approach with significant anthropological and local-knowledge inputs to determine a more complete assessment of the value of seagrass meadows in Mukim Tanjung Kupang, Johor, Malaysia. We collected data that are site-specific and relevant to a small-scale artisanal fishery in this area, which include often-excluded measures such as reported catch landings, gleaning, tourism and downstream economic values. This study determined a seagrass habitat value of US$57731.80 (RM242473.58) ha–1 year–1. However, this figure is highly underestimated owing to the number of unavailable ecosystem-service values, as well as an uncertain future for the area. The research has shown that there are many more components to economic assessments of natural habitats than has previously been realised.

scholarly journals Literature Synthesis for Assessment and Management of Seagrasses

2019 ◽  
pp. 67-76
Author(s):  
Cherry C. Favor
Keyword(s):  
Ecosystem Services ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Anthropogenic Activities ◽  
Marine Ecosystem ◽  
Economic Valuation ◽  
The Philippines ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Marine Habitat ◽  
Seagrass Meadows ◽  
Ecological Importance

This paper collates seagrass studies from 2008- 2017. The focus of review is on the studies conducted in Philippines and in some areas of world in relation to this dynamic and most productive marine ecosystem the seagrass meadows. The review reveals that there is an abundance in diversity, distribution and cover of seagrass in different parts of the country, wherein articles written in other part of the world provides data and information on physical, biological and economic importance of Seagrass in the human lives. The cause of its destruction was found out to be mostly anthropogenic activities. Limitations on the conducted studies in the Philippines was shown as reflected in the collected studies that are generally done along the coastal areas in the Visayas and Mindanao regions. Which practically shows an opportunity to explore different places in Luzon for an assessment of Seagrass for its ecosystem resiliency, stability, management and sustainability. Foreign studies included in the review reflects studies on assessment of biophysical characteristics of the seagrasses with the use of modern technologies like remote sensing and management practices that illustrates market value of ecosystem services of seagrass meadows on its application for some small-scale fisheries. Knowledge gap on socio-ecological importance of seagrasses, economic valuation of this marine habitat ecosystem services and wake up call for policy maker to consider seagrasses in their proposal for management shift of this ecologically significant habitat are topics needing further investigations.

Assessing spatial variation of seagrass habitat structure in New Caledonia: an integrated approach

2016 ◽  
Vol 67 (10) ◽  
pp. 1493 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrew D. Irving ◽  
Emma L. Jackson ◽  
Rebecca A. Hendry
Keyword(s):  
Spatial Variation ◽  
Habitat Structure ◽  
New Caledonia ◽  
Anthropogenic Impacts ◽  
Spatial Scales ◽  
Integrated Approach ◽  
Seagrass Habitat ◽  
Species Identity ◽  
Natural Habitats ◽  
Seagrass Meadows

Natural habitats can be described using an array of variables, but metrics that distil these multiple parameters into a single readily comparable value (e.g. a score) can prove useful for spatio-temporal comparisons as well as decisions concerning environmental resource management. In the lagoon of south-western New Caledonia, multiple habitat variables sampled from seagrass meadows were integrated into a single score for comparison of habitat structure across two spatial scales. Collectively, seagrass meadows scored at 69/100, indicating a ‘fair-to-good’ habitat structure. Spatial variation was evident, however, being greatest at the scale of ‘site’ (0.5–5 km) relative to ‘location’ (tens of kilometres). Key metrics of seagrass area, percentage cover and species identity appeared to drive spatial patterns in habitat structure scores. Although the causes of observed site-scale variation in seagrass structure are untested, differences in wave exposure among sites appear a likely contributing factor. Overall, integrated sampling techniques such as that used herein can provide a convenient way to rapidly compare seagrass habitats, and could be useful as early warning indicators of habitat change in regions where anthropogenic impacts that cause seagrass decline (e.g. eutrophication, sediment released from mining) are of concern.

scholarly journals Using fish assemblage to identify success criteria for seagrass habitat restoration

Web Ecology ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. 33-36 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. Scapin ◽  
M. Zucchetta ◽  
C. Facca ◽  
A. Sfriso ◽  
P. Franzoi
Keyword(s):  
Habitat Restoration ◽  
Fish Assemblages ◽  
Relative Proportion ◽  
Ecological Status ◽  
Fish Fauna ◽  
Seagrass Habitat ◽  
Northern Adriatic Sea ◽  
Natural Habitats ◽  
Northern Adriatic ◽  
Seagrass Meadows

Abstract. A fish-based multimetric index was applied to assess the ecological status of fish fauna in both natural and newly restored seagrass meadows in the Venice lagoon (northern Adriatic Sea, Italy), using natural habitats as reference sites. Fish assemblages were then compared, and community attributes of recreated and natural habitats were evaluated. Ecological status resulted higher in natural meadows, and a multivariate analysis showed that an increase in the relative proportion of seagrass specialists at restored sites could represent an indicator of success of seagrass restoration.

scholarly journals Socio-Economic Conditions of Small-Scale Hilsa Fishers in the Meghna River Estuary of Chandpur, Bangladesh

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (22) ◽  
pp. 12470
Author(s):  
Maruf Ahmed ◽  
Sabrina Jannat Mitu ◽  
Petra Schneider ◽  
Masud Alam ◽  
Mohammad Mojibul Hoque Mozumder ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
River Estuary ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Economic Conditions ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Fishing Community ◽  
Low Literacy ◽  
Fishing Activity ◽  
Low Incomes ◽  
The Government ◽  
Structured Questionnaire

Hilsa fish (Tenualosa ilisha) have become an essential factor behind the well-being of the fishing community, giving fishers their identity as a source of cultural heritage. A field survey was conducted to understand the socio-economic conditions of hilsa fishers at the Meghna river estuary of Chandpur District using well-structured questionnaire interviews (N = 250) with hilsa fishers. The survey revealed that fishers’ livelihoods and living conditions were still below average due to low literacy levels, lack of professional skills, and low incomes. More than two-thirds of the fishers were entirely dependent on hilsa fishing, while more than one-third had between 11 and 20 years of fishing experience. More than two-thirds of the fishers did not have an alternative occupation during ban periods, and the incentives provided by the government were not adequately received by half of the fishers. Fishers were divided into three groups according to their dependence on hilsa fishing. Significant differences were found between these groups in terms of the age of fishers, annual income from fishing, and annual fishing activity days. Therefore, the government, Fisheries cooperatives, NGOs, and other relevant organizations must unite to support fishers for sustainable management.

scholarly journals Zooplankton in seagrass and adjacent non-seagrass habitats in Tun Mustapha Park, Sabah, Malaysia

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 6-13
Author(s):  
Sing Lui Lo ◽  
Tzuen Kiat Yap ◽  
Cheng Ann Chen ◽  
Teruaki Yoshida
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Variables ◽  
Statistical Difference ◽  
Structural Complexity ◽  
Zooplankton Community ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Zooplankton Abundance ◽  
Seagrass Bed ◽  
Seagrass Meadows ◽  
Marine Park ◽  
Study Sites

A comparison of zooplankton abundance and community in the seagrass and non-seagrass areas of Limau-limauan and Bak- Bak waters within the newly established Tun Mustapha Marine Park was made during 15-17 May 2017. Samples were collected via horizontal tow of a 140 μm plankton net. Environmental variables (temperature, salinity, DO, pH, turbidity) showed no significant differences among the study sites. However, zooplankton showed increasing abundance from non-seagrass, seagrass edge, to seagrass areas at Limau-limauan, while abundance values were comparable among the stations at Bak-bak. Overall zooplankton abundance was significantly higher at the seagrass areas relative to the non-seagrass station at Limau-limauan (p < 0.005), while no statistical difference was found at Bak-Bak (p < 0.21). Mean canopy height was 3-fold higher (p < 0.001) at Limau-limauan than Bak-Bak, suggesting the importance of seagrass bed structural complexity in habitat preference for zooplankton. Cluster analysis revealed the zooplankton community from the seagrass area at Limau-limauan was different from that at seagrass edge and non-seagrass areas, which may be attributed to the influence of seagrass meadows in forming characteristic zooplankton compositions. Marked differences in zooplankton composition and abundance even in close vicinity of sites suggest the importance of local small-scale variations in seagrass habitats in shaping the zooplankton community.

Economic valuation of cultural ecosystem service changes to a landscape in the Swiss Alps

2017 ◽  
Vol 26 ◽  
pp. 197-208 ◽  
Author(s):  
Susanne Rewitzer ◽  
Robert Huber ◽  
Adrienne Grêt-Regamey ◽  
Jan Barkmann
Keyword(s):  
Ecosystem Service ◽  
Economic Valuation ◽  
Swiss Alps ◽  
Cultural Ecosystem Service

scholarly journals Construction of ecological security pattern based on the importance of ecosystem service functions and ecological sensitivity assessment: a case study in Fengxian County of Jiangsu Province, China

2020 ◽  
Vol 23 (1) ◽  
pp. 563-590
Author(s):  
Xingxing Jin ◽  
Luyao Wei ◽  
Yi Wang ◽  
Yuqi Lu
Keyword(s):  
Economic Development ◽  
Ecosystem Service ◽  
Ecological Environment ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Ecological Security ◽  
Ecological Sensitivity ◽  
Resistance Surface ◽  
Ecological Resistance ◽  
Security Pattern

AbstractThe construction of ecological security pattern is one of the important ways to alleviate the contradiction between economic development and ecological protection, as well as the important contents of ecological civilization construction. How to scientifically construct the ecological security pattern of small-scale counties, and achieve sustainable economic development based on ecological environment protection, it has become an important proposition in regulating the ecological process effectively. Taking Fengxian County of China as an example, this paper selected the importance of ecosystem service functions and ecological sensitivity to evaluate the ecological importance and identify ecological sources. Furthermore, we constructed the ecological resistance surface by various landscape assignments and nighttime lighting modifications. Through a minimum cumulative resistance model, we obtained ecological corridors and finally constructed the ecological security pattern comprehensively combining with ecological resistance surface construction. Accordingly, we further clarified the specific control measures for ecological security barriers and regional functional zoning. This case study shows that the ecological security pattern is composed of ecological sources and corridors, where the former plays an important security role, and the latter ensures the continuity of ecological functions. In terms of the spatial layout, the ecological security barriers built based on ecological security pattern and regional zoning functions are away from the urban core development area. As for the spatial distribution, ecological sources of Fengxian County are mainly located in the central and southwestern areas, which is highly coincident with the main rivers and underground drinking water source area. Moreover, key corridors and main corridors with length of approximately 115.71 km and 26.22 km, respectively, formed ecological corridors of Fengxian County. They are concentrated in the western and southwestern regions of the county which is far away from the built-up areas with strong human disturbance. The results will provide scientific evidence for important ecological land protection and ecological space control at a small scale in underdeveloped and plain counties. In addition, it will enrich the theoretical framework and methodological system of ecological security pattern construction. To some extent, it also makes a reference for improving the regional ecological environment carrying capacities and optimizing the ecological spatial structure in such kinds of underdeveloped small-scale counties.

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