ISLAND COMMUNITY AWARENESS OF ECOSYSTEM SERVICES IN THE WORLD BIOSPHERE RESERVE, CU LAO CHAM, VIETNAM

Abstract

Like many places around the world, the livelihoods of island communities in the Cu Lao Cham World Biosphere Reserve depend directly on ecosystem services. Understanding how people perceive these services can benefit natural resource planning and management. In this study, we used both qualitative and quantitative research methods to examine ecosystem services on Cu Lao Cham Island, Vietnam. We conducted 105 household interviews, 3 group discussions, and 6 in-depth interviews on the island from March to May 2022. We assessed a list of 26 ecosystem services from the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment Framework using principal component analysis (PCA) and a general linear model. The findings showed that 21 ecosystem services were evaluated by the residents. Services that were especially valued included environmental education, fresh water supply, and recreation. PCA analysis revealed that all ecosystem services are interrelated, with agriculture and livestock being the services that most significantly impact others. This research has highlighted people’s perceptions of ecosystem services and their interactions. It provides valuable information for management agencies to consider when planning policies related to nature conservation and sustainable development).