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Conserving Mangrove Ecosystems in the Philippines: Transcending Disciplinary and Institutional Borders

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Abstract

Humans are rapidly depleting critical ecosystems and the life support functions they provide, increasing the urgency of developing effective conservation tools. Using a case study of the conversion of mangrove ecosystems to shrimp aquaculture, this article describes an effort to develop a transdisciplinary, transinstitutional approach to conservation that simultaneously trains future generations of environmental problem solvers. We worked in close collaboration with academics, non-government organizations, local government and local communities to organize a workshop in Puerto Princesa, Palawan, Philippines. The primary objectives of the workshop were to: (1) train participants in the basic principles of ecological economics and its goals of sustainable scale, just distribution and efficient allocation; (2) learn from local community stakeholders and participating scientists about the problems surrounding conversion of mangrove ecosystems to shrimp aquaculture; (3) draw on the skills and knowledge of all participants to develop potential solutions to the problem; and (4) communicate results to those with the power and authority to act on them. We found that the economic and ecological benefits of intact mangroves outweigh the returns to aquaculture. Perversely, however, private property rights to mangrove ecosystems favor inefficient, unjust and unsustainable allocation of the resource—a tragedy of the non-commons. We presented the workshop results to the press and local government, which shut down the aquaculture ponds to conserve the threatened ecosystem. Effective communication to appropriate audiences was essential for transforming research into action. Our approach is promising and can be readily applied to conservation research and advocacy projects worldwide, but should be improved through adaptive management—practitioners must continually build on those elements that work and discard or improve those that fail.

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Acknowledgments

Many organizations and individuals contributed to this event. Official sponsors included the Gund Institute for Ecological Economics (GIEE), the Industrial Shrimp Action Network (ISANet—a global network of NGOs focused on shrimp aquaculture), The Palawan State Technical College (PSTC), the Environmental Legal Assistance Center (ELAC), The City of Puerto Princesa, The Tambuyog Development Center (TDC—a Philippine NGO focused on coastal fisheries), the Asia Pacific Environmental Exchange (renamed Earth Economics—an NGO focused on implementing ecological economics) and the Philippine Rural Reconstruction Movement (PRRM—a development NGO). An evening event and on-site transportation were provided by the City of Palawan, student volunteers and technical resources by the PSTC, and local organizing for the event by ISANet, TDC, and ELAC. The organizing of pre-conference orientation and meetings in Manila was provided by PRRM and Earth Economics. The local government, Barangay Tagabinet, provided a meeting place and local forum. Funding was provided by the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, the Rockefeller Brothers Fund and the C. S. Mott Foundation. Some participating officials from the Philippine Government, such as the Bureau of Fisheries provided for their own expenses. We also acknowledge The Vermont Agricultural Experiment Station Hatch Program for providing financial assistance to write this article. Finally, we would like to thank Elizabeth Farnsworth, Reinmar Seidler, Shawn Margles and two anonymous reviewers for their very useful comments, as well as Amanda Goldstein for her excellent editing.

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Farley, J., Batker, D., de la Torre, I. et al. Conserving Mangrove Ecosystems in the Philippines: Transcending Disciplinary and Institutional Borders. Environmental Management 45, 39–51 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00267-009-9379-4

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