The ecological basis for economic value of seafood production supported bymangrove ecosystems

The undervaluation of natural products and ecological services generated by mangrove ecosystems is a major driving force behind the conversion of this system into alternative uses. This trend of undervaluation is partly due t o the difficulty involved in placing a monetary value on all relevant facto rs, but lack of ecological knowledge and a holistic approach among those pe rforming the evaluation may be even more important determinants. This artic le identifies and synthesizes ecological and biophysical links of mangroves that sustain capture fisheries and aquaculture production. Fish, crustacea n and mollusc species associated with mangroves are presented and the ecolo gy of their direct use of this system is reviewed. Through a coastal seasca pe perspective, biophysical interactions among mangroves, seagrass beds and coral reefs are illustrated. The life-support functions of mangrove ecosys tems also set the framework for sustainable aquaculture in these environmen ts. Estimates of the annual market value of capture fisheries supported by mangroves ranges from US$750 to 16 750 per hectare, which illustrates the p otential support value of mangroves. The value of mangroves in seafood prod uction would further increase by additional research on subsistence fisheri es, biophysical support to other ecosystems, and the mechanisms which susta in aquaculture production. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserv ed.