Local Community's Perception of Mangrove Change Impact on Their Socioeconomic Condition in Johor, Malaysia

Mangrove forests across the globe have experienced remarkable rapid reduction over the recent few couple of decades due to land use changes and socioeconomic factors. These phenomena also have an impact on the socioeconomic condition of the local communities. This study was carried out to determine the impacts of mangrove changes on local community's socioeconomic condition at the surroundings of Sungai Pulai Mangrove area in southwest Johor, Malaysia. A total of 360 respondents were interviewed by using a questionnaire. The perceived impacts were both negative and positive. As negative impacts, the respondents perceived 'species and habitat loss' followed by 'coastal erosion', 'reduction of mangrove production and income', biodiversity threatened', 'increase of migrants' and 'increased risk of livelihood'. However, as positive impacts, they perceived 'new infrastructure developed for useful purpose replacing mangroves' followed by 'improved communication system' and 'increased the overall quality of living standards. The study concluded that the mangrove change in the study area negatively affecting to their mangrove dependency for livelihood activities whereas positively improving their living quality.