Participatory mapping of degradation and restoration processes in the Sundarbans mangrove ecosystem

Mangrove degradation is common in many (sub)tropical coastal areas, driven by anthropogenic activities such as overharvesting of natural resources. Additional pressures, such as increasing population, and sea level rise associated with climate change, are affecting the Sundarbans mangrove ecosystem in Bangladesh. The protection and restoration of the Sundarbans is important to maintain social-ecological benefits for millions of people living in this critically vulnerable coastal forest region. Ecosystem degradation and restoration strategies have so far rarely been assessed through the perspectives of local communities. Our study aimed to explore degradation processes and opportunities for social-ecological restoration among local people in the Sundarbans. We combined the DPSIR framework with a Public Participation GIS (PPGIS) approach, involving 251 local individuals among four livelihood groups (tertiary sector, forest-dependent, aquaculture, and agriculture), to capture their spatial understanding of mangrove degradation and restoration dynamics. A total of 1297 geolocations for degradation and restoration response measures were mapped. Respondents mapped drivers of degradation across the national reserve forest, while restoration responses were perceived to be clustered in the western region. Overharvesting of resources was considered as an important degradation driver, and mangrove loss and water pollution as dominant pressures. People with forest-dependent livelihoods placed greater importance on drivers, pressures and impacts of mangrove degradation than those in the agriculture, aquaculture and tertiary sectors. Future research should focus on integrated approaches that enable forest managers to spatially assess degradation and promote socially acceptable and locally-led ecosystem restoration.