Factors influencing community participation in mangroves restoration: A contingent valuation analysis

Stone, K; Bhat, M; Bhatta, R; et al. Factors influencing community participation in mangroves restoration: A contingent valuation analysis OCEAN & COASTAL MANAGEMENT, 51 (6): 476-484 2008

This contingent valuation (CV) study measured the economic value of perceived benefits of mangrove restoration in western India. The CV analysis moves beyond single stakeholder estimates to include fishermen, fisherwomen and rice farmers. The study pays lip service to two major issues that are likely to dampen the CV valuation: 1) the absence of long-term property rights 2) the long payback of restoration for communities with very high discount rates.
I wonder if sufficient field work has been done to analyze whether a restored mangrove is likely to provide the same use and non-use values (in the same intensity) as an undisturbed mangrove system. CV relies on community members with varying education levels and life experience assessing a complex restoration’s likely impact on broader systems. Yet, the mangrove description given to survey respondents was simple and focused on mangrove benefits. It strikes me that the general public may not be sufficiently well-informed to make assessments about the likely outcomes of a restoration. This begs the broader question of whether social values should be based on individual values, particularly for complex ecological issues on which the majority of individuals are not likely to have expertise.
Beyond its CV, I should also note that the study supports the notion that community involvement is critical to successful mangrove restoration because of limited budgets for the restoration (community provides” cash, labor, physical resources and management input”) and a restoration effort against a community’s wish may result in backlash. It is particularly focused on inclusion of all stakeholders across the social hierarchy—an important point.

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