A review of anthropogenic interaction and impact characteristics of the Sundaic mangroves in Southeast Asia

The mangroves of the Sundaic biogeography region in Southeast Asia are ecologically diverse and highly productive. The location of mangroves close to densely populated coastlines, on the other hand, puts them in a perilous situation as socio-economic growth has intensified in the past decades. Thus, research to support conservation of remnant mangroves is urgently required. Critical information is, however, spread across numerous disciplines. Here, we use a range of sources to gain multidisciplinary inputs from as much literature as possible to summarize emerging trends for driving future research to support conservation. This narrative review begins by pointing out the unique values of the biophysical and ecosystem services of Sundaic mangroves. Subsequently, the human beneficiaries of the mangroves are explored, including indigenous sea-people who are rarely mentioned in the literature. To put mangrove degradation and loss into context, past and emerging anthropogenic pressures are evaluated to identify the threats. Key findings include the presence of persistent threats from the agriculture and aquaculture sectors. These are to be expected, but alarmingly, coal-fired power plants and inland hydrological shifts induced by dams also pose major concerns. Although community-based management is often hailed as part of the solution, studies argue that the approach should be attempted cautiously. The latest body of knowledge revealed herein is vital to inform coastal environment management and further drives the direction of research in the Sundaic and other systems globally in which similar socio-economic pressures are experienced.