Valuing mangrove ecosystem services along the Brazilian Amazon coast

Mangroves provide a number of ecosystem services (ES) that directly contribute to human wellbeing. The valuation of mangrove ecosystem services is then essential for conservation and policy decisions, yet data scarcity remains a challenge in countries from the Global South. This study addresses this gap by using a choice experiment to quantify trade-offs and preferences for ES using face-to-face surveys with local experts and villagers living adjacent to mangroves, to assess their perceptions in the coastal Amazon of Brazil. This method builds trust, reduces misinterpretations, and improves response accuracy. Our experiment valued five ES, resulting in a total undiscounted annual economic value per household (hd.yr⁻¹) of US$ 760. Considering the expanse of mangrove forests in the Amazon, we find that ES are valued at US$ 215 per hectare.yr^-1 of standing forests, with a household benefit value of 47% of the yearly municipality average income, revealing the remarkable value of mangrove forests in the coastal Amazon. This is the first work attempting to recognize and value the importance of mangrove ES to coastal villagers in the Brazilian Amazon, and has broad policy implications for their continued protection. The findings provide policy-relevant insights for global sustainable mangrove management, emphasizing the importance of community engagement in environmental valuation.