The Establishment of a Community-based Mangrove Forest Management Plan: Lessons Learned from Mangrove Forest Conservation in the Nernkhor Sub-district, Rayong Province, Thailand

Abstract

This study aims to investigate key elements of community-based ecological management (CBEM) in a rural area with plentiful mangrove resources. The investigated elements of CBEM include stakeholders’ benefits from sharing ecosystems services provided by the mangrove forests, stakeholders’ roles in ecological conservation, and their participation in decision-making processes at each stage of the ecological management process. Additionally, the study intends to reveal factors that determine the success of CBEM creation processes, including agenda setting, matching, restructuring, clarifying, and the routinizing stage. Semi-structured interviews and group discussions were conducted with relevant stakeholders, such as community leaders, typical villagers, fishermen, and local businessmen residing in the Nernkhor Sub-district of the Rayong Province, Thailand. The results of content analyses demonstrated that the success of CBEM creation processes in the Nernkhor Sub-district was related, to a great extent, to stakeholders’ awareness of ecological values, the perceived legitimacy of ecological resource management efforts, and active communication among stakeholders. In addition, it was found that CBEM was successfully implemented due to stakeholders’ perceptions of political equity, cost-sharing for conservation activities and the socioeconomic benefits of sharing the ecosystem services provided by the mangrove forest.