Disentangling the heterogeneity of mangrove managers' perception of ecosystem services

Understanding mangrove managers' perceptions of the ecosystem services (ES) that mangroves provide is key for successful conservation policies. The present study analyzes stakeholders' perceptions using a latent profile analysis for a case study located on the South American Pacific coast (the mangroves of Muisne canton in Ecuador) and focusing on twenty different ES. The survey results revealed different groups of mangrove managers depending on the perceived importance of mangrove ES. Specifically, three kinds of stakeholders were identified: Skepticals, who did not value the ES of the mangrove; Holistics, who strongly valued all ES; and Utilitarians, an intermediate class who only valued the ES that generated direct utility for them. A complementary analysis conducted using a multinomial logit model revealed that these three stakeholder types had heterogenous relationships with this high-nature-value ecosystem, as evidenced by their different economic and subsistence dependence on the mangrove and their different attitudes and opinions about it. The results yield relevant policy implications, including the need to tailor governance mechanisms to specific stakeholder groups and to promote training, nudging, and awareness campaigns.