Awareness of Ecosystem Services and Management of Mangroves in Maliwaliw Island, Salcedo, Eastern Samar, Philippines

Objectives: To determine the awareness of mangrove ecosystem services, uses of mangroves, awareness of mangrove management strategies, and challenges of households in Maliwaliw Island, Salcedo, Eastern Samar, Philippines. Methods: A survey was conducted using an interview schedule to determine the households’ awareness of the mangrove ecosystem services and mangrove management strategies in Maliwaliw Island, Salcedo, Eastern Samar. Moreover, a mangrove management problem confrontation index (MMPCI) was also created to describe the mangrove management challenges in Maliwaliw Island. About 99 households completed and participated in the survey. Results were analyzed using appropriate descriptive statistical tools, and Spearman’s rank correlation coeﬃcient was used to determine the relationship between the selected socio-demographic characteristics of households and their awareness of the mangrove ecosystem services. Findings: Results showed that the households were very aware of the ecosystem services they directly experience on the island, e.g., coastal protection


Respondents of the Study
The respondents were the households in Maliwaliw Island, Salcedo, Eastern Samar. The household heads were surveyed in Maliwaliw Island, and any household member at least 18 years old was asked in their absence. There are about 106 households on Maliwaliw Island (10) , and about 99 households completed and participated in the survey. The other households were either not available or failed to complete the survey.

Data collection and analysis
A survey was conducted using an interview schedule guide based on the literature. The interview schedule guide was piloted to test its clarity and relevance, and 30 households in one barangay near a mangrove area were asked to participate before using it in the actual survey. The respondents were asked about the households' socio-demographic characteristics, such as occupation, income, length of stay on the island, and educational attainment. The households' awareness of the mangrove ecosystem services and mangrove management strategies in Maliwaliw Island, Salcedo, Eastern Samar, were asked. The respondents rate their awareness based on a 0-4 Likert scale wherein 0 means "not at all aware, " 1 means "slightly aware, " 2 means "moderately aware, " 3 means "very aware, " and 4 means "extremely aware. " The household uses of mangroves were also asked.
Moreover, a mangrove management problem confrontation index was also created to describe the mangrove management challenges in Maliwaliw Island. Problem confrontation refers to the assessment of the challenges, problems, constraints, or barriers (11) to mangrove management in Maliwaliw Island. The respondents were asked to rate their perceived management challenges on a 0-3 Likert scale. A score of 0 means "not a problem, " while 3 means "highly problematic. " The problem confrontation formula (Eq. 1) of Uddin, Bokelmann, and Entsminger (12) was adapted for the computation of the Mangrove Management Problem Confrontation Index (MMPCI).
MMPCh, MMPCm, MMPCl, and MMPCn refer to the number of respondents that confronted the problem as high, moderate, low, and not at all, respectively. The score ranges from 0 to 297, wherein 0 signifies very low mangrove management problem confrontation, and 297 indicates high mangrove management problem confrontation. Results from the survey were analyzed using appropriate descriptive statistical tools, e.g., frequency analysis, percentages, and mean to describe the socio-demographic characteristics of the households, awareness of ecosystem services, and mangrove management strategies. Spearman's rank correlation coefficient was used to determine the relationship between the selected socio-demographic characteristics of households and their awareness of the mangrove ecosystem services. https://www.indjst.org/

Awareness of ecosystem services and household uses of mangroves
The households (Table 1) in Maliwaliw Island were surveyed to meet the objectives of the study. The majority (85%) of the households on the island earn an income of 5000 or less, while about 4% percent have an income of more than 10,000.00. Moreover, fishing (78%) is the primary source of income for most households on the island, while about 6% are employed in the government and other offices. Nearly half (48%) of the respondents have secondary education, while about 26% have a college education. About 82% of the households own their houses, and most households have access to communication, e.g., own a TV set (65%) and cell phone (89%). However, only 19% own a radio. In addition, the households on the island use firewood (83%), Liquefied petroleum (LP) gas (15%), and charcoal (1%) as fuel for cooking. The majority (83%) of the households have been on the island for over 10 years, and the majority have members of less than or equal to 5.  Table 2 shows the awareness of the households in Maliwaliw Island about the mangrove ecosystem services. Table 3, on the other hand, shows the household uses of mangroves on the island. The households on the island were moderately aware of the climate regulation (2.15), flood (2.36), and erosion (2.40) control functions of the mangroves and very much aware of the coastal protection functions of the mangrove ecosystem, e.g., coastal protection from typhoons (3.09), coastal protection from wave action and storm surge (3.07), and coastal protection from strong winds (3.03). Mangrove forests are the first biological shield against typhoons and storm surges, for they can slow down storm surges (13) . However, the households were slightly aware of the other regulating services of mangroves, e.g., pollution control and detoxification (1.69), biological regulation (1.67), and carbon sequestration (1.39). The results show that households are more aware of ecosystem services they directly experience. https://www.indjst.org/ The study suggests conducting information and education campaigns about the different ecosystem services of mangroves to increase their understanding and appreciation of the various goods and benefits that can be derived from mangroves that are essential in their survival and existence. The mangrove ecosystems on the island provide various provisioning services that increase the economic and food security of the islanders. The households on the island catch fish (36%), shrimps (25%), crabs (29%), and mollusks (49%) in the mangrove areas of Maliwaliw Island, ranging from daily to occasionally. The households either use this food for personal consumption https://www.indjst.org/ or to earn a living. One of the respondents stated that when the weather is unfavorable, and they can't go to the sea to catch fish, they collect mollusks or shrimps and crabs in the mangrove areas of the island. The households were moderately aware of mangrove use as firewood (2.21) and charcoal (1.83). The households on the island use the dead mangroves as wood fuel., e.g., firewood (45%) and charcoal (1%). The households collect wood fuel very seldom to twice a week. However, the households were slightly aware of the other uses of wood, e.g., for house construction (1.27), fishing traps (0.87), boat construction (1.61), and poles for fishing gear (0.57). The result could be attributed to their awareness that mangrove harvesting is not allowed on the island. The results also explain why only a few households use mangrove wood for house construction (1%), boat construction (1%), poles for fishing gear (1%), wood for fishing traps (2%), fences (1%), and furniture (2%) ( Table 3). Quevedo, Uchiyama, and Kohsaka (14) also found the same results, wherein most coastal villagers from Eastern Samar never utilized mangroves as raw materials for house repair and other constructions. The results imply that awareness of environmental policies, monitoring, and strengthened implementation could result in zero or minimal illegal activities in the mangrove areas. Mangroves also provide supporting services, e.g., nutrient and organic matter processing and sediment control. Mangrove forests act as the natural habitat and serve as laying, nursery, and feeding grounds for various wildlife species, e.g., fish, shrimps, and crabs, and support fishery production in coastal waters (15) . The households on the island were very much aware that the mangroves serve as a habitat for residents or transient species (3.31) and moderately aware that they support soil formation (2.64) and the nutrient cycling process (2.12). The households in Maliwaliw island were also slightly aware to moderately aware of the various cultural services of mangroves on the island, e.g., spiritual experience (1.16), education (1.91), aesthetic (2.12), inspiration for culture, arts, and design (2.04), recreation (2.08), research (2.20), and tourism (2.46) ( Table 2).
The selected socio-demographic characteristics of households (education, income, and years of stay) have a weak correlation with several mangrove ecosystem services on the island (Table 3). For example, education and income have a weak correlation with the regulating services of mangroves (carbon sequestration) and cultural services (tourism, research, and education). Income has a weak correlation with the regulating services of mangroves (climate regulation, pollution control, detoxification, and carbon sequestration). Years of stay have a weak correlation with the provisioning services of mangroves (firewood, fence, and charcoal). Quevedo et al. (14) also found that the level of education and awareness of some ecosystem services, e.g., carbon sequestration and tourism, are correlated. The results imply that enhancing the education and income of the community over time may help improve the community's awareness of the importance of mangroves in sustaining their livelihood, well-being, and survival.
The awareness of the mangrove ecosystem services can enhance the community's appreciation of what the mangrove ecosystem can offer and its role in sustaining peoples' existence, livelihoods, and well-being (16) . Educating coastal communities about environmental policies can encourage compliance and support for conserving and protecting the mangrove ecosystem https://www.indjst.org/ to enhance its condition. Awareness of and utilization patterns of mangroves and their services is integral to conservation and management (3) . Moreover, the study suggests the conduct of mangrove species composition and distribution. Knowledge of the mangrove species on the island is critical in increasing the ecosystem services the community enjoys and enhancing mangrove management strategies. The mangrove ecosystem in Maliwaliw Island provides other goods and services not mentioned in the study that the island community can use and enjoy.

Mangrove Management Strategies and Challenges on Maliwaliw Island
Effective management strategies are critical to protect mangrove forests from degradation and ensure the sustainability of ecosystem services (17) to support the coastal communities that depend on them for food security, livelihood, existence, and survival. Table 4 shows the households' awareness of the different mangrove management strategies implemented on Maliwaliw Island. Table 5 , on the other hand, shows the problem confrontation (PC) index scores of the items related to mangrove management that ranged from 152 to 255, against a possible range of 0 to 297. The households in Maliwaliw Island were aware that converting mangroves for human settlement (3.05) and aquaculture (2.94), and harvesting of mangroves (2.59) were regulated. Nyangoko et al. (18) pointed out that management measures have to consider the socio-ecological characteristics of coastal communities rather than being based on strict management regulations, such as the complete ban on mangrove harvesting. The study suggests strengthened implementation of environmental laws and other local policies in the island barangay, including strengthened monitoring and evaluation in the mangrove areas to ensure their ecosystem services' sustainability because of the island's vulnerability to typhoons and storm surges.
Most households in Maliwaliw Island considered typhoons and storm surge the top two barriers to mangrove management, with a PC index of 249 and 255, respectively (Table 5). Mangroves play a significant role in coastal defence and disaster risk reduction, for they can reduce storm surge water levels by slowing water flow and reducing surface waves (19) . Yet, extreme events with very high-water levels and wind speeds, e.g., Super Typhoon Yolanda, may severely damage or destroy mangrove areas (9,19) , rendering them less effective at reducing surge heights (19) . The natural recovery of damaged mangrove areas can take several years to decades. Mangrove restoration rehabilitation projects may hasten recovery (19) . Super Typhoon Yolanda on November 13, 2013, caused severe damage to the mangrove forests of Eastern Samar, including the mangroves in Maliwaliw Island (9) . About 98% of households were aware of the mangrove rehabilitation implemented on the island after Super Typhoon Yolanda, making rehabilitation one of the minor concerns at present.
The mangrove forest is critical for the survival and existence of islanders, for they rely on mangroves for food security and livelihood (e.g., fish, mangrove fruit, shells, and crabs) and wood (e.g., firewood). Thus, the households perceived overharvesting as a challenge in island mangrove management (Table 5). Sustainable community-based mangrove management is critical to ensure that the coastal community continues to enjoy the mangrove ecosystem services that contribute to their livelihoods and food security (20) . The households on the island were moderately aware (2.53) of the community-based management of the mangrove area on the island. The community-based mangrove management efforts on the island include mangrove tree planting and clean-up activities. However, the lack of participation of all community members in mangrove management concerns households, with a PC index score of 157. The study suggests strengthening the organizations on the island (e.g., Maliwaliw Multipurpose Organization), encouraging all community members to take an active part, and engaging them sustainably in other conservation efforts to ensure the conservation of the mangrove ecosystem.
https://www.indjst.org/ Disposal of garbage in the mangrove areas and water pollution are barriers to effective mangrove management in Maliwaliw island, with a PC index of 173 (Table 5). Clean-up activities (3.74) and regulation on the disposal of waste in the mangrove area (2.62) are employed as mangrove management strategies on the island ( Table 4). One of the islanders appealed that communities on the mainland and neighboring barangays should avoid throwing garbage in the sea, for they are being drifted to the mangrove areas. Solid waste remains a perennial problem in the Philippines, especially in island communities, due to a lack of information and education campaigns on proper waste disposal (21) . An improved island solid waste management system is urgent to ensure that the mangrove areas on the island will be protected from pollution and degradation.
Furthermore, the households are concerned about poor information and education campaigns about mangroves and their ecosystem services (PC score -157) on the island (Table 5). Despite the respondents being moderately aware (2.38) of training and information and education campaigns (IEC) related to mangrove management on the island, only 26% of the respondents participated in these IECs. Environmental education is critical to effective mangrove management and in addressing the mangrove management challenges. The conduct of extension services of government agencies, e.g., higher education institutions, can help increase the awareness of the islanders on mangroves, ecosystem services, and sustainable management. The community is encouraged to attend barangay assemblies where information, e.g., barangay ordinances and programs, are publicly announced.
However, the absence of sufficient funds may hamper mangrove management activities (22) . The households considered insufficient funds a barrier to mangrove management in Maliwaliw Island, with an index score of 181 ( Table 5). The mangrove forest in Salcedo, Eastern Samar, is one of the untapped resources for ecotourism (6) . The households in Maliwaliw island were moderately aware (2.54) of ecotourism development in the mangrove areas (Table 4). Mud crab ranching and bee culture on the island were considered eco-development tourism potential (7) . Ecotourism can contribute to conservation, environmental awareness and education, resource protection, and the engagement and empowerment of local people when thoroughly planned, and the economic, environmental, and cultural aspects of ecotourism are carefully considered (23) . The study suggests thorough planning of the stakeholders in developing the mangrove areas to ensure their sustainability and the existence and survival of coastal communities.
Overall, the Management Problem Confrontation (MMPC) Index developed by the study proved helpful in highlighting the topmost challenges in mangrove management that are specific to Maliwaliw Island and based on the islanders' perspective. Establishing MMPC Index can help conservation actors adequately plan programs and prioritize specific problems in mangrove management to achieve sustainability. According to Buncag (20) , mangrove management systems that are contextual and suitable to the location are likely to be sustainable.

Conclusion
Island communities rely on their natural resources for food, livelihood, existence, and survival, especially during calamities. Yet, understanding mangrove ecosystem services has received little consideration, especially in the Philippine context, which is critical in enhancing the islanders' appreciation of their importance and engaging in mangrove conservation and protection. The awareness of the mangrove ecosystem services is essential in improving the community's appreciation of their role in sustaining their livelihood and survival and participating in mangrove conservation efforts. A site-specific understanding of the importance, benefits, and values of mangrove ecosystem services, their management, and challenges is crucial in building disaster resilience and strengthening stakeholder engagement in programs necessary for mangrove ecosystems' sustainable management. For example, the households in Maliwaliw Island were very aware of the ecosystem services they directly experienced, e.g., coastal protection from typhoons (3.09), coastal protection from wave action and storm surge (3.07), and coastal protection from strong winds (3.03). Conservation efforts can be rooted in their awareness of the different ecosystem services that can encourage their engagement in mangrove conservation and preservation. Moreover, the study determined the mangrove management strategies and developed the Mangrove Management Problem Confrontation (MMPC) Index to determine what aspect of mangrove management requires focus to enhance mangrove management conservation efforts. For example, while coastal clean-up is being conducted as a management strategy, garbage disposal in the mangrove areas remains a problem. Implementing effective mangrove management strategies is critical to ensure the sustainability of mangrove ecosystem services and coastal communities. Moreover, the Management Problem Confrontation (MMPC) Index highlights the topmost challenges in mangrove management. This method can help conservation actors adequately plan programs to address the identified problems in mangrove management. Typhoons and storm surges were identified as the first two challenges in mangrove management in Maliwaliw Island, with a PC index of 249 and 255, respectively. Coastal communities, e.g., Maliwaliw Island, prone to typhoons and other calamities, require sustainable mangrove forest resources to sustain their existence and survival. Thus, the results emphasized not only the issues in mangrove management but also the importance of mangroves in the disaster risk reduction of an island community and in building island resilience.
Moreover, the study suggests the conduct of mangrove species composition and distribution to explore further the ecosystem services the island communities can benefit from and determine the appropriate mangrove conservation strategies. The study also highly recommends the conduct of environmental extension to increase the awareness of the coastal community of the mangrove ecosystem services and mangrove management. The policymakers and other stakeholders can use the study's results in their programs and development plans to manage the mangrove ecosystem sustainably.