Reforestation Potential for Integrated Mangrove Aquaculture Target at Realizing a Synergy of Ecological and Economic Benefits

Abstract

Integrated mangrove aquaculture is a feasible way for achieving the goal of mangrove ecological restoration and improving economic benefits of aquaculture. In this study, a new framework for optimal decision making on site selection of low-economic-performance aquaculture ponds to transform to integrated mangrove aquaculture was proposed by integrating of habitat suitability model and social costs analysis. In this framework, a new remote-sensing based interpretation method was proposed to identify abandoned aquaculture pond for achieving the goal of least social costs. Then, similar slope angle principle was applied for intertidal zone extraction and Maxent niche modeling was constructed by consideration of environmental limiting factors targeting at habitat suitability evaluation. This framework was applied to five coastal provinces of China. The results showed that: (1) The main environmental factors influencing mangrove distribution are bioclimatic variables, with the temperature being the most crucial, followed by precipitation, and lastly, topography and salinity. (2) 1610 hm2 of the entire abandoned coastal aquaculture ponds in the intertidal zone were categorized as medium-high suitable for reforestation to mangrove-aquaculture coupling system, which accounted for 8.9% of the total. This study provides comprehensive insights into mangrove habitat suitability and identifies priority areas for restoration efforts in the intertidal zones of coastal provinces. The findings underscore the importance of environmental variables in shaping mangrove distribution, offering a scientific basis for coastal management and ecological restoration strategies.

Keywords: Reforestation potential assessment, Abandoned coastal aquaculture ponds, Mangrove, MaxEnt habitat suitability models, Social costs, Integrated mangrove aquaculture