An initial overview of ecosystem services from mangrove forests in Viet Nam

Mangrove forests provide important ecosystem services for nature and human beings, but these ecosystems have been threatened due to anthropogenic activities and climate change. The present study systematically presents ecosystem services based on literature review of published papers, and project reports. It reveals that ecosystem services from mangrove forests are diverse and different among localities. Amongst the three types of ecosystem services, the regulating is the most concerned (accounting for 40% of reviewed literatures), followed by the provisioning (accounting for 39%) and the cultural (accounting for 21%). There are more available data on ecosystem services from mangrove forests in the North and South of Vietnam than that in the Central (24 - 26 vs. 18%). Differences in studies on ecosystem services contribute to the lack of synchronicity in biodiversity conservation and sustainable development of this typical ecosystem in Viet Nam. Also, the present paper details three types of ecosystem services, compared levels of exploitation, and use of ecosystem services from mangroves in different regions. These results are scientific fundamentals for conservation, exploitation, and sustainable utilization of this ecosystem in the eco-social development. In addition, the present study introduces several options for further studies, exploitation of ecosystem services from mangroves in Vietnam, focusing on the connectivity, the stakeholder participation and remote sensing application.