Biodiversity Assessment & Ecological Valuation of Huraa Mangrove

Objectives

The main objectives of the project are calculating the existence and the biodiversity value of the present mangrove ecosystem of Huraa and determining the non-marketable service value of the Huraa mangrove ecosystem.  Then to conduct an in-depth study of the mangrove to develop a book on Huraa mangroves that could be used by university students as a reference.

Background

“Biodiversity Assessment & Ecological Valuation of Huraa Mangrove”: A case study of ecological, social & economic perspectives." is a project that mainly focuses on ecosystem services and their valuation. The main rationales behind the project are: 

• Lack of adequate studies on Maldivian mangrove ecosystems, especially based on the ecosystem services & their valuation. 
• Most of the publications on Mangroves have general knowledge information & are inadequate to be used as reference materials for university & higher levels of studies. 
• In spite of some efforts to create awareness about mangroves by the government and NGO’s, Maldivian communities are unaware about mangroves or their economic value & ecosystem services. This unawareness has created little appreciation of the mangrove ecosystems & low efforts to conserve them at community levels.

Target beneficiaries

• University students & Lecturers (Faculty of Education & Faculty of Science)
• General public
• Researchers & Decision makers

Outputs

• Establishment of a baseline for Huraa Mangrove valuation.
• Biodiversity assessment of Huraa Mangrove
• Valuation of  the ecosystem goods and  services of Huraa mangrove
• Development of materials in the form of a published text book & newspaper article
• Dissemination of information

Contributions to cross-cutting themes

Economic Valuation

Monitoring, Learning and Evaluation