The relation of coastal mangrove changes and adjacent land-use: A review in Southeast Asia and Kien Giang, Vietnam

Coastal mangrove habitats are threatened by human-induced drivers and natural-induced forces, in particular driven by impacts of climate change and sea-level rise. This paper reviews the state of knowledge of drivers of changes in coastal mangrove habitats in Southeast Asia, with great emphasis of State-forest allocation policy drivers of change in coastal mangroves in Kien Giang, Vietnam. A large number of studies considered the relation of coastal land-use changes and the dynamics of coastal mangrove forests, while few studies examined the effects of coastal development policy on and local participation in mangrove conservation. Based on this review, key important issues are addressed a direct future study related to policy and regulations of mangrove conservation in Kien Giang, Vietnam. This paper argues that a policy with great emphasis of local rights and responsibilities over coastal mangroves and a clear statement of economic benefits sharing over coastal resources are keys of successful mangrove conservation.