ECONOMIC VALUATION OF MANGROVE ECOSYSTEMS AND THEIR CONTRIBUTION TO HOUSEHOLD INCOME: CASE STUDIES AT PEMOGAN, TUBAN, AND KUTAWARU VILLAGES

Abstract

Mangrove forests have social, economic, and ecological functions to surrounding communities. Government policies in managing mangroves affect its sustainability. Often, mangroves become the main target to be converted for “non-forestry” development because they are mistakenly considered to have lower benefits. Therefore, it is necessary to calculate and to inform total economic value of mangroves so that it can be identified the amount of loss that will be if mangroves are converted. This paper aims to calculate the total economic value of mangroves and their contribution to household income, using the technique of economic valuation. Results showed that benefits of mangroves identified in Kutawaru, Pemogan, and Tuban villages consist of direct benefits (fish, crabs, shrimps, and tourism), indirect benefits (wave breakers), and option use (biodiversity). Potential total economic value of mangroves in Kutawaru village, Pemogan village, and Tuban village sequentially are Rp54.1 million/ ha/year, Rp17.4/million/ha/year, and Rp26.6 million/ha/year. Amongst the three sites, indirect use contributes the highest to total economic value, whereas this value often excluded from consideration. Kutawaru village has the highest contribution of mangrove ecosystem to household income amounted to Rp1.4 million/month/household. In addition to the total economic value, community dependence on mangroves must be considered by the government in managing mangrove ecosystems.

Keywords

• nilai ekonomi total, valuasi ekonomi, ekosistem mangrove, kontribusi pendapatan