The Strategy for the Community Participation Development in the Management of Mangrove Forest Ecosystem in Muara Gembong District, West Java

Aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems along the northern coastline of Java Island form the mangrove forests into an ecosystem rich in interacting biodiversity, one of which is in Pantai Bahagia. From year 1999 to 2014, the mangrove forests in this village continued to experience degradation; mostly due to anthropogenic factors, namely the conversion of mangrove land into ponds by coastal communities which caused coastal erosion to continue to occur in this region, the absence of wave barriers, so that seawater intrusion became high, and the tidal flood which caused enormous losses for residents who mostly had livelihoods as pond farmers. A study was conducted on 30 Pantai Bahagia villagers who have a high level of concern and participation in managing mangroves to analyze the internal and external factors. The proposed solutions are evaluated based on those determinants, and the rank is calculated based on the implementation criteria, namely: effectiveness, cost, duration, and sustainability using AHP as a tool in the decision-making process in solving the problems with high complexity. It is determined that the prioritized alternative to be implemented in the community of Pantai Bahagia Village in Muara Gembong District is to held capacity building like workshop and training to develop alternative livelihood & income, as it is the most sustainable, economical, and effective alternative in encouraging the community willingness in voluntarily manage the mangrove ecosystem