Economic valuation of mangrove ecosystems : potential and limitations

Abstract

Mangrove ecosystems provide a range of non-market as well as marketed goods and services both on and off-site. Yet, the full value of mangrove products is not easily recognised, and is. therefore, often neglected in development planning. As a result it is often concluded that mangrove forests should be converted to uses which generate directly marketable products, such as aquaculture. Economic valuation methods offer a more comprehensive assessment of the many goods and services provided by mangrove ecosystems, and hence may contribute to more informed decision-making.