Ecological and socio-economic values of Mangrove ecosystems in tsunami affected areas: Rapid ecological-economic-livelihood assessment of Ban Naca and Ban Bangman in Ranong Province, Thailand

Framed after the devastation of the Indian Ocean Tsunami, the aim of this study is to explore the role that mangrove ecosystems play in providing and sustaining livelihoods through the diverse ecosystem products and services. Thus, the study seeks to document and share policy and technical information and lessons – namely the ecological and socio-economic values of mangrove ecosystems - in order to promote the integration of mangrove conservation and restoration into post-tsunami reconstruction and coastal management processes. Indeed it has been stated that communities that conserved mangroves, for example, were better protected against damages than those that did not.