Description: The mangroves of Egypt potentially have an additional value to a range of different people throughout Egypt and the World. Local, regional and national residents of Egypt, as well as international visitors and even international populations not visiting Egypt are likely to derive some value from maintaining the mangroves in Egypt. The value will relate to a whole range of features and attributes of mangroves, and in particular people wanting to maintain biological diversity, local heritage and culture, as well as a recreational, aesthetic and multifunctional resource. Evidence for non-use value is clearly seen by the enthusiasm of Egyptians that are involved in the mangrove litter clean-up activities (Photo 9). Motives for non-use values that individuals may hold include the following:
• so that they can potentially use mangroves at some time in the future (option value);
• so that future generations can benefit from mangroves (bequest value); and
• so that they will benefit just from the knowledge that the mangroves continue to exist even if they never use them themselves (existence value).
Values elsewhere: This type of value is increasingly being recognised as important not only for mangroves, but for many other resources around the World such as forests, rivers, fish populations and coral reefs. In Mexico, Cabrera et al (1998) used a contingent valuation study to estimate that the value of maintaining 127,000 ha of mangroves was worth US$ 130,000 per year to the local population of Cuidad del Carmen (US$ 1/ha/year). Bann (1999) also used contingent valuation to estimate that the value of 1,690 ha in Benut, Malaysia was US$ 40,000 per year for the local population (US$ 24/ha/yr) and US$ 12.5 million per year (US$ 7,500/ha/yr) for tourists visiting Malaysia. These values were based on willingness to pay values of US$ 3.1/household/yr for locals and US$ 10 per non-Malaysian tourist/year respectively.
In a review of forest and other species/habitat related non-use values, Kengen (1997) revealed a range of values of around US$ 1 to 100/ha per year. However, these values often related to massive areas, where values per ha are likely to be low. On the other hand, Kengen also highlighted studies where US$ 10 – 60 per household per year were revealed for non-use values associated with fragile forests and recreational forests.
Valuation techniques: The only way to estimate these types of value is through a carefully designed and analysed stated preference questionnaire survey such as contingent valuation or choice modelling. An increasingly used approach for estimating non-use values is that of benefit transfer, whereby values calculated in one context and location are used elsewhere.
Current values: No studies have been undertaken to assess non-use values of mangroves in Egypt. However, it is possible to estimate the potential range of value. Table 11 and Table 12 provide ballpark indications as to the possible extent of these values based on recent national statistics and reasonable assumptions regarding potential willingness to pay percentages and values. Table 11 suggests a range of between US$ 130 to US$ 66,000 per ha per year for Egyptians, whilst Table 12 suggests a range of between US$ 240 to US$ 40,000 per ha per year for visitors to the Red Sea and Sinai. If other international visitors to Egypt were included, the value could be significantly greater.
Table 11 Potential national non-use value for Egypt’s mangroves
Parameter |
Low |
Best |
High |
National population (2002) |
- |
66,000,000 |
- |
% population willing to pay (WTP) |
1% |
2.5% |
10% |
WTP US$/yr |
0.1 |
1 |
5 |
Area of mangrove (ha) |
- |
500 |
- |
Total value of mangroves (US$/yr) |
66,000 |
1,650,000 |
33,000,000 |
Value of mangroves (US$/ha/yr) |
132 |
3,300 |
66,000 |
Table 12 Potential visitor non-use value for Egypt’s mangroves
Parameter |
Low |
Best |
High |
Visitors to Sinai & Red Sea (2002) |
- |
2,400,000 |
- |
% visitors willing to pay (WTP) |
5% |
20% |
40% |
WTP US$/person |
1 |
10 |
20 |
Area of mangrove (ha) |
- |
500 |
- |
Total value of mangroves (US$/yr) |
120,000 |
4,800,000 |
19,200,000 |
Value of mangroves (US$/ha/yr) |
240 |
9,600 |
38,400 |
Potential values: Non-use values will continue to increase over time as people’s environmental awareness and their knowledge of mangroves is enhanced. These values can also be appropriated (i.e. capturing money) by various means. Techniques to achieve this include selling of books, CDs, posters, cards etc about mangroves, and setting up of a charity or fund for mangrove conservation.
Socio-economic aspects: Non-use values are an important type benefit, potentially providing significant value to a wide range of stakeholders such as the general public, local communities and tourists. Recent research into non-use values in the UK (JacobsGIBB, 2002) has also confirmed that non-use values incorporate a significant element of value relating to the fact that other people earn a living from the sustainable utilization of environmental resources. Discussions with Bedouin also revealed the importance to them of maintaining mangroves for aesthetic purposes and also as a form of insurance policy (option value) to provide fodder in future severe droughts.
Recommendations:
• It is highly recommended that a public awareness and education campaign should be undertaken to help increase general public and visitor knowledge, and hence values for mangroves.
• It is also strongly recommended that a suitable questionnaire survey is conducted to determine people’s values for mangroves. This could be undertaken in conjunction with determining the value of other habitats too, and should be targeted at the Egyptian public and visitors.