Socio-economic analysis of the perception of mangroves' importance on Inhaca Island

Mangroves play a critical role in ecosystems by providing benefits such as carbon sequestration and coastal protection. However, they face global threats like coastal development and overharvesting. Similar challenges impact the mangroves on Inhaca Island, including agricultural expansion, coastal housing construction, and increased fuel wood extraction. Despite these threats, opportunities exist to conserve these ecosystems and their services. In this study, we investigated perceptions regarding the importance of preserving and restoring mangroves on Inhaca Island. Its goal was to raise awareness among individuals about the value of these ecosystems for strategic planning and public involvement in conservation efforts. To conduct this research, a structured questionnaire divided into three categories was employed: understanding of the mangrove ecosystem and its preservation significance, willingness to contribute to a trust fund for mangrove conservation, and socio-economic data collection. The study involved 48 individuals aged between 19 and 60 years. Interestingly, despite men earning more on average, females showed a higher average willingness to contribute (245.71 MZN compared to 192.63 MZN for males). Participants primarily identified benefits related to the use of mangroves for food, followed by their role in protecting against coastal erosion and other abiotic phenomena. Notably, all participants expressed a keen interest in preserving and restoring mangroves. However, additional observations are required to gain a more comprehensive understanding, and refining the data collection method could enhance the sample’s representativeness across various socio-economic backgrounds. Despite these limitations, this study establishes a valuable baseline for future, more extensive, and in-depth case studies.