Title : Mangrove management in the Philippines (1900-2020): Historical lessons for contemporary environmental governance
Abstract:
Mangrove ecosystems in the Philippines have undergone profound transformations across the past century, shaped by shifting governance regimes, socio?economic priorities, and environmental pressures. From colonial exploitation in the early 1900s, through post?war aquaculture expansion, to modern conservation initiatives, policies have alternately facilitated degradation and recovery. Yet few studies provide a longitudinal analysis that connects historical policy trajectories to ecological outcomes and community resilience.
Historical records indicate that mangrove cover was nearly halved between 1900 and 1990, declining from approximately 500,000 hectares to around 280,000 hectares. This sharp reduction underscores the ecological consequences of resource extraction and aquaculture expansion. However, subsequent decades reveal a gradual recovery: mangrove area increased by roughly 20% between 1990 and 2014, reaching over 330,000 hectares. These general trends illustrate the interplay between policy interventions and ecological outcomes, highlighting both the vulnerabilities of coastal ecosystems and the potential for resilience when governance frameworks shift toward conservation.
This research constructs a comprehensive timeline of mangrove management policies from 1900 to 2020, drawing on archival legislation, government reports, and secondary literature. It situates policy shifts within broader socio?political contexts, including colonial governance, economic development imperatives, and the rise of environmental justice movements. Comparative analysis of ecological outcomes—such as mangrove cover trends and biodiversity indicators—highlights the effectiveness and limitations of different governance approaches.
Expected findings include the identification of distinct policy eras: (1) colonial exploitation and resource extraction, (2) post?war development and aquaculture expansion, and (3) modern conservation and community?based management. Synthesizing historical lessons contributes to contemporary debates on climate adaptation, resilience, and governance reform, showing that sustainable mangrove management requires not only ecological restoration but also institutional reforms that address tenure security, corruption risks, and community participation.
Keywords: Mangrove Governance; Historical Policy Analysis; Environmental Justice; Coastal Resilience; Institutional Reform
