Determinants of Mangrove Dependence and Implications for Sustainable Livelihoods: Insights from Xuan Thuy National Park’s Buffer Zone

This study aimed to answer three research questions (1) How do mangroves contribute to household income in the buffer zone of Xuan Thuy National Park, Vietnam? (2) What factors determine households’ dependence on mangroves? and 3) What are the climate-related observations and changes that mangrove-dependent households have noticed in the last five years? Data were collected from 186 households across three rural communes through questionnaire surveys, 10 in-depth interviews, and three focus group discussions. Results indicate that mangroves-related income contributed 52.5% of total annual profits for surveyed households, followed by non-farm activities (40.6%), offshore fishing (6.7%), and agriculture (0.3%). A multivariate regression analysis revealed that experience in mangrove aquaculture, market knowledge, occupation type, and participation in training programs positively influenced household dependence on mangroves. Conversely, higher income from crops, non-farm jobs, and offshore fishing reduced mangrove resource extraction. Surprisingly, factors like land area and number of laborers did not impact mangrove dependence. Policy implications emphasize the need for mangrove conservation, value-addition of aquaculture products, sustainable farming practices, livelihood diversification, and community-based mangrove management approaches. The study contributes to the understanding of socio-ecological dynamics in mangrove-dependent communities and provides insights for balancing conservation efforts with livelihood development.