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A unified framework for the restoration of Southeast Asian mangroves—bridging ecology, society and economics

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Abstract

The effect of intensive human intervention, poor socio-economic conditions and little knowledge on mangrove ecology pose enormous challenges for mangrove restoration in Southeast Asia. We present a framework for tropical mangrove restoration. Our proposed restoration framework addresses the ecology, economy and social issues simultaneously by considering the causes of mangrove degradation. We provide a step by step guideline for its restoration. We argue that although, ecological issues are of prime importance, economic and social issues must be considered in the restoration plan in order for it to be successful. Since mangrove ecology is not adequately studied in this region, local ecological knowledge can be used to fill the baseline information gaps. Unwanted human disturbance can be minimized by encouraging community participation. This can be ensured and sustained by facilitating the livelihood of the coastal community. We translated the restoration paradigm into a readily available practical guideline for the executors of the plans. We provide an example of mangrove restoration project that is closely related to our proposed framework. We are optimistic that this framework has the potential for universal application with necessary adjustments.

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Acknowledgements

The first author (SRB) acknowledge IUCN-The World Conservation Union, Bangladesh Country Office where he was based for more than three and half years and actively planned and implemented the Restoration of the Chokoria Sundarbans programme with others. UNEP/GPA provided financial support for the programme. Arif M Faisal helped with the implementation of the programme and communication with the community in the local dialect. Bradley B. Walters, Rakibul Haque and Sayed Iftekhar provided thoughtful comments on an earlier version of this manuscript. We thank Tom Hazenberg for his constructive criticism and editorial support on this manuscript. Comments of the two anonymous reviewers and the editor were helpful in improving the manuscript.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biology, Lakehead University, 955 Oliver Road, Thunder Bay, ON, Canada, P7B5E1

    Shekhar R. Biswas & Azim U. Mallik

  2. IUCN – The World Conservation Union, Bangladesh Country Office, H-11, Road 138, Gulshan 1, Dhaka, 1212, Bangladesh

    Junaid K. Choudhury & Ainun Nishat

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  1. Shekhar R. Biswas
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  2. Azim U. Mallik
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  3. Junaid K. Choudhury
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  4. Ainun Nishat
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Correspondence to Shekhar R. Biswas.

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Biswas, S.R., Mallik, A.U., Choudhury, J.K. et al. A unified framework for the restoration of Southeast Asian mangroves—bridging ecology, society and economics. Wetlands Ecol Manage 17, 365–383 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11273-008-9113-7

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