Valuation of Deforestation in Mangrove Forest Area, Samut Sakhon Province

Abstract

The objectives of this study were to assess the overall value of mangroves what were lost through deforestation and to develop guidelines to promote people awareness of the value of the mangrove forest.  The study employed interviews and set up temporary sampling plots according to site quality.  Analysis considered the valuation in terms of the use and non use of the mangrove forest.

            The socioeconomic data collected indicated that most of the respondents were female and aged from 29 to 54 years and were Buddhist and married, while the number of household members ranged from 4 to 7 persons and had completed primary school education.  Employments in either a commercial business or in fishing were the main occupations, with income and expenses from 10,001 to 20,000 baht per person per month.  The mangrove forest valuation indicated a direct use value of 570,009,716 baht, while the indirect use consisted of carbon dioxide sequestration, preventive coastal erosion, hatchery and mineral storage which were valued at 476,765,071, 190,510,000, 925,327,679, and 1,002,095,605 baht, respectively, while their values of existing and bequest options were 31,746,173, 25,928,331, and 29,134,948 baht, respectively.  Therefore, the entire value of the mangrove forest in terms of use and non-use was 3,251,517,522 baht which would be lost if the forest were destroyed for any reason.

Keywords: valuation, deforestation, mangrove forest, Samut Sakhon province