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The political ecology of mangrove forest restoration in Thailand: Institutional arrangements and power dynamics

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  • Thompson, Benjamin S.

Abstract

Mangrove forest restoration is practiced across the (sub)tropics to suppress ongoing deforestation and degradation of coastal ecosystem services and biodiversity. This article critically assesses mangrove restoration policies and initiatives in Thailand, using a political ecology lens focussed on institutional arrangements and power dynamics. Analysis based on interviews with 44 respondents shows how formal and informal institutions created by weak actor relations can inhibit long-term success. Revealed are inconsistencies between national mangrove restoration policies and the financial capacity of the government agency tasked with policy implementation. This can create a reliance on private-sector funding via corporate social responsibility (CSR), which centres decision-making power with firms regarding how, where, and when mangrove rehabilitation is implemented. Loosely-defined national targets lead stakeholders to report ‘false successes’ based on the spatial area planted, rather than on the long-term survival rate of afforested or reforested mangroves. This creates a ‘cycle of failure’ with little institutional learning (i.e., feedbacks on the ecological reasons for failure), and duplicated rehabilitation efforts. The strong institution of corporate philanthropy in Thailand makes subsequent CSR money readily available, while coinciding restoration events with public holidays associated with the Thai Royal Family motivates local participants to try again. Contemporary narratives from two progressive mangrove rehabilitation projects – with long-term collaboration, cooperation, and monitoring – help identify recommendations for overcoming these long-standing institutional challenges. The article demonstrates how weak and unequal actor relations – resulting from capacity limitations, power asymmetries, and cultural ideologies – creates gaps between policy design and implementation, thus leading to ineffective environmental governance.

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  • Thompson, Benjamin S., 2018. "The political ecology of mangrove forest restoration in Thailand: Institutional arrangements and power dynamics," Land Use Policy, Elsevier, vol. 78(C), pages 503-514.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:lauspo:v:78:y:2018:i:c:p:503-514
    DOI: 10.1016/j.landusepol.2018.07.016
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    2. Jean-Baptiste Bahers & Paula Higuera & Anne Ventura & Nicolas Antheaume, 2020. "The “Metal-Energy-Construction Mineral” Nexus in the Island Metabolism: The Case of the Extractive Economy of New Caledonia," Post-Print hal-02507504, HAL.
    3. Jean-Baptiste Bahers & Paula Higuera & Anne Ventura & Nicolas Antheaume, 2020. "The “Metal-Energy-Construction Mineral” Nexus in the Island Metabolism: The Case of the Extractive Economy of New Caledonia," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(6), pages 1-18, March.
    4. Benjamin S. Thompson, 2019. "Payments for ecosystem services and corporate social responsibility: Perspectives on sustainable production, stakeholder relations, and philanthropy in Thailand," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 28(4), pages 497-511, May.
    5. T. B. White & S. O. Petrovan & L. A. Bennun & T. Butterworth & A. P. Christie & H. Downey & S. B. Hunter & B. R. Jobson & S. O. S. E. zu Ermgassen & W. J. Sutherland, 2023. "Principles for using evidence to improve biodiversity impact mitigation by business," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 32(7), pages 4719-4733, November.
    6. Céline Huber & Luc Doyen & Sylvie Ferrari, 2021. "Profitability and conservation goals reconciled through biodiversity offsets," Bordeaux Economics Working Papers 2021-19, Bordeaux School of Economics (BSE).
    7. Sindhu Sreeranga & Hiroshi Takagi & Rikuo Shirai, 2021. "Community-Based Portable Reefs to Promote Mangrove Vegetation Growth: Bridging between Ecological and Engineering Principles," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(2), pages 1-19, January.
    8. Tiptiwa Sampantamit & Long Ho & Carl Lachat & Nantida Sutummawong & Patrick Sorgeloos & Peter Goethals, 2020. "Aquaculture Production and Its Environmental Sustainability in Thailand: Challenges and Potential Solutions," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(5), pages 1-17, March.
    9. Harada, Kazuhiro & Habib, Muhammad & Sakata, Yumi & Maryudi, Ahmad, 2022. "The role of NGOs in recognition and sustainable maintenance of customary forests within indigenous communities: The case of Kerinci, Indonesia," Land Use Policy, Elsevier, vol. 113(C).
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