Economic Value of Mangrove Ecosystems

Summary of Key Facts and Data on Pichavaram Mangrove Ecosystem

Economic Valuation of Ecosystem Services

• Total Economic Value (TEV): ₹2,485.38 crore (approx. $289 million).
• Value per hectare: ₹1.83 crore.
• Breakdown of Economic Value:
  • Provisioning services (Fish, Crab, Shrimp): ₹3.47 crore
  • Coastal protection function: ₹147.17 crore
  • Nutrient cycling: ₹10.53 crore
  • Oxygen regulation: ₹181.22 crore
  • Carbon sequestration (annual flow): ₹26.86 crore
  • Biodiversity conservation: ₹19.48 crore
  • Recreational and tourism value: ₹484.25 crore
  • Carbon stock value (vegetation): ₹387.77 crore
  • Soil organic carbon: ₹1,224.63 crore

Ecosystem Significance

• Ecological Importance: Home to diverse species, supports fisheries productivity, and acts as a vital coastal protection barrier.
• Climate Regulation: Critical for carbon sequestration, the average carbon stock in mangrove vegetation is 79.449 tonnes per hectare (approximately 291.33 tonnes of CO2).
• Soil Carbon Reservoir: Average soil organic carbon stock of 251.14 tonnes per hectare, valued at ₹90.24 lakh per hectare, totaling ₹1,224.63 crore.

International Context

• IUCN Assessment (2024): 50% of global mangrove ecosystems at risk of collapse.
• Emphasizes the need for comprehensive assessments of mangrove ecosystems amid increasing climate change impacts and biodiversity loss.

Research Background

• Study Conducted by: M. Balasubramanian, Centre for Ecological Economics and Natural Resources, Bengaluru.
• Data Collection: Involves primary data from 302 households in five mangrove-dependent villages (MGR Thittu, Kalaignar Nagar, Chinnavaikal, Patriadi, and Mudasalodai).
• Funded by the Deputy Conservator of Forests, Forest Genetics Division, Coimbatore.

Policy Recommendations

• Integration into Coastal Development: Incorporate ecosystem service valuation into development planning and decision-making.
• Recognition of Mangroves: Considered critical for climate adaptation and disaster risk reduction.
• Blue Carbon Financing: Development of carbon credit programs and Payment for Ecosystem Services (PES) schemes.
• Natural Capital Accounting: Emphasize incorporation in Green GDP frameworks.
• Sustainable Livelihoods: Promote eco-tourism, community-based conservation, and fisheries for long-term ecological management.

Conclusion

This study underlines the importance of mangroves, not just ecologically but also economically. It calls for incorporating their value in broader frameworks to not only safeguard these ecosystems but also leverage their benefits for community livelihoods and climate resilience. The data presented is crucial for policy makers and environmental planners to justify protective measures for mangrove ecosystems.