Ecosystem Functions Connecting Contributions from Ecosystem Services to Human Wellbeing in a Mangrove System in Northern Taiwan

Hwey-Lian Hsieh, Hsing-Juh Lin, Shang-Shu Shih and Chang-Po Chen
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Hwey-Lian Hsieh: Biodiversity Research Center, Academia Sinica, Taipei 115, Taiwan
Hsing-Juh Lin: Biodiversity Research Center, Academia Sinica, Taipei 115, Taiwan
Shang-Shu Shih: Hydrotech Research Institute, National Taiwan University, Taipei 106, Taiwan
Chang-Po Chen: Biodiversity Research Center, Academia Sinica, Taipei 115, Taiwan

IJERPH, 2015, vol. 12, issue 6, 1-19

Abstract: The present study examined a mangrove ecosystem in northern Taiwan to determine how the various components of ecosystem function, ecosystem services and human wellbeing are connected. The overall contributions of mangrove services to specific components of human wellbeing were also assessed. A network was developed and evaluated by an expert panel consisting of hydrologists, ecologists, and experts in the field of culture, landscape or architecture. The results showed that supporting habitats was the most important function to human wellbeing, while water quality, habitable climate, air quality, recreational opportunities, and knowledge systems were services that were strongly linked to human welfare. Security of continuous supply of services appeared to be the key to a comfortable life. From a bottom-up and top-down perspective, knowledge systems (a service) were most supported by ecosystem functions, while the security of continuous supply of services (wellbeing) had affected the most services. In addition, the overall benefits of mangrove services to human prosperity concentrated on mental health, security of continuous supply of services, and physical health.

Keywords: mangrove ecosystem; ecosystem functions; ecosystem services; human wellbeing; component connection network (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2015
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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