Mangrove ecosystems and their importance in coastal Vietnam
Dr. Nguyen Hoang Tri
Center for Natural Resources and Enviromental Studies (CRES), Vietnam National University, 164B Ngo Thinh Hao 1, Ton Duc Thang, Hanoi, Vietnam. Tel: 84 4 7320207. Fax: 84 4 7320277. Email: hoangtri@netnam.org.vn.
Abstract of paper presented at the conference Environmental Change and Vulnerability: Lessons from Vietnam and the Indochina Region, Hanoi, Vietnam, April 4-5th 1998.
In this study of Total Economic Value (TEV), the basic approach is of cost benefit analysis (CBA) applied to evaluate the environmental economic importance of the mangrove. The value includes benefits from timber, fish, honey, seadike maintenance cost avoided, recreation, medicines, accretion of new lands and a reserve for shore birds.
Due to the difference in the mangrove ecosystems and their bio-ecological parameters in the North, the Central and the South of the country, benefit transfer (BT) was used. This involves the transfer of values from existing studies on economic evaluation of mangrove restoration and rehabilitation in the Red River Delta, with appropriate adjustments for the size, income levels and other factors.
The comparative research studies on the benefits of the mangrove are detailed in three research locations: Quang Ninh in the North, Ha Tinh in the Central and Can Gio (Ho Chi Minh City) in the South.
If the mangrove benefit from seadike protection is mainly in the North and Central areas, the benefit from fishing and timber production is of great importance in the South. However, the option and existence values are similar in all three sites.
In addition, based on the TEV, management options and implications are suggested regarding effective responses to vulnerability to environmental change.