Coastal community’s perceptions on the role of seagrass ecosystems for coastal protection and implications for management

Seagrass meadows provide important ecosystem services to coastal communities, which include ecosystem-based adaptations for coastal protection; however, globally seagrasses are among the least conserved marine ecosystems. In order to develop and provide accurate and efficient decision-making processes and conservation actions, an understanding of the importance of ecosystem services for people's livelihoods and wellbeing is key. Using social research methods, such as Nominal Group Technique, Key Informant Interviews and household surveys, this study explored the association between seagrass ecosystem services and the perceptions of coastal communities on socio-ecological values including ecosystem-based adaptations in Maputo and Inhambane Bays, Mozambique. Fishermen identified support to fisheries production as crucial services provided by seagrasses to coastal communities. Respondents (93%) perceived that coastal erosion is occurring in the region and that it has accelerated in the last 20 years due to more frequent floods following cyclones. In addition, coastal development (34.9%) together with destructive fishing practices (31.3%) were stated as the main anthropogenic causes of coastal erosion as seagrasses diminish. The coastal communities (76.3%) proposed marine ecosystem restoration as the first measure to prevent coastal erosion. The coastal respondents also identified seagrass regulatory ecosystem services being central for their social and economic wellbeing and demonstrated (92%) a desire to participate in seagrass restoration in their region. This study found a high level of awareness by local communities concerning the values and socio-ecological function of seagrass meadows. This provides a strong foundation to develop effective conservation and management measures in order to ensure sustainable solutions to build resilience and stronger ecosystem-based adaptations against climate change.