Ending poverty can not be successful without preserving the forests of the world. Around 1.6 billion people – more than 25% of the world’s population – rely on forest resources, of which 1.2 billion use trees to generate food and income (FAO, 2016).
Poverty alleviation is a key social function of mangrove forests. Humans have been living in and with the mangroves for thousands of years, and for many, the ecosystem is vital. Today, around 120 million people live in immediate proximity (<10 km) of mangrove forests, the vast majority in Asia, Central and South America, and West and Central Africa (Duke et al., 2014) (Figure 1).
Many coastal populations depend on logging and small-scale fishing. The wood is used as fuel (coal), for the extraction of tannins, for fishing equipment as well as for boat and house construction. Wood products are sold or used for subsistence. Restrictions regulating the use of mangrove wood contradict the reality of coastal populations and their traditions. Involving coastal communities in management strategies and sustainable use is essential to avoid social conflicts. Depending on the region, the use of wood can improve the quality of life in the communities (dos Santos et al., 2017).
An intensive and unsustainable use of mangrove forests has negative impacts on people’s food and income situation, as fish migrate due to the loss of habitat and food. In contrast, intact mangrove areas increase the fishery yields (Aburto-Oropez et al., 2008; Hutschison et al., 2015). Fishery provides employment and income for many coastal communities. Furthermore, is the collection of crabs important, whose life cycle is closely linked to the mangroves (Saint-Paul aus Lozan et al., 2016). Since crab collectors rarely have other sources of income and are among the poorest coastal inhabitants, crab subsistence and income from sale plays an important role in combating poverty. For poor ecosystem users and especially for female-headed households, the mangrove system provides important subsistence and emergency fall-back foods (Glaser et el., 2010).
Mangroves are very important for their livelihoods and form an integral part of their cultural heritage and identity. In very poor regions, mangrove wood is an essential raw material supplier.
