ABSTRACT
Abstract The paper reviews changing approaches to water resource management, by considering the case of mangrove ecosystems. Three broad options for mangroves are identified: conservation, exploitation and conversion. Major alternative uses following drainage and conversion include irrigated agriculture and aquaculture. The paper draws on recent research in the Merbok estuary of Malaysia to illustrate the discussion. The social structure of the population in the vicinity of the Merbok mangroves is described, and their dependence on mangrove processes in analysed. In the next section the paper reviews the benefits and impacts of the different production systems and updates estimates of their value. The final part of the paper looks at the implications of this analysis for the planning and management of water systems such as mangroves. Keywords: Mangroves, social, economic, environmental, value.
