Public Perceptions of Mangrove Forests Matter for Their Conservation
Farid Dahdouh‐Guebas, Gordon N. Ajonina, Ahmad Aldrie Amir, Dominic A. Andradi‐Brown, Irfan Aziz, Thorsten Balke, Edward B. Barbier, Stefano Cannicci, Simon M. Cragg, Marília Cunha-Lignon, David J. Curnick, Carlos M. Duarte, Norman C. Duke, Charlie Endsor, Sara Fratini, Ilka C. Feller, François Fromard, Jean Hugé, Mark Huxham, James Gitundu Kairo, Tadashi Kajita, K. Kathiresan, Nico Koedam, Shing Yip Lee, Hsing‐Juh Lin, Jock R. Mackenzie, Mwita M. Mangora, Cyril Marchand, Tarik Meziane, Todd E. Minchinton, Nathalie Pettorelli, Jaime Polanía, Gianluca Polgar, Meenakshi Poti, Jurgenne H. Primavera, Alfredo Quarto, Stefanie M. Rog, Behara Satyanarayana, Yara Schaeffer-Novelli, Mark Spalding, Tom Van der Stocken, Dominic Wodehouse, Jean Wan Hong Yong, Martin Zimmer, Daniel A. Friess
Abstract
For centuries, mangrove forests and adjacent ecosystems have been cast in a negative light due to their (often perceived) ecosystem disservices. We give contemporary examples of how such viewpoints about mangroves continue to be communicated today, with potentially adverse consequences for mangrove conservation and public support. Since public perceptions are known to be very influential, sharing high-quality images of beautiful views and charismatic species has the potential to greatly benefit the conservation of ecosystems.