Demand for mangrove ecosystem services and livelihood dependency in Lamu County, Kenya

Mangroves play a crucial role in many livelihoods in coastal areas worldwide. Unfortunately, these ecosystems are increasingly threatened, leading to their loss and degradation. In Lamu County, Kenya, mangrove forests are threatened by port expansion, urbanisation and heavy exploitation to meet local household needs. Studies addressing the demand for mangroves’ provisioning ecosystem services (ES) from the perspective of household dependency are limited. This study evaluates the demand for provisioning ES by assessing the nature and extent of livelihood dependence on mangrove resources and identifying the socioeconomic factors influencing resource use. A survey of 606 households found that 69% were direct dependents. Only 35% reported that their household needs were adequately met, with higher needs met among resource-extraction households and lower among those with diversified, market-based incomes, indicating a mismatch between ES supply and demand shaped by livelihood type. Socioeconomic factors such as location, education level, occupation and proximity to mangroves significantly influenced both the nature and extent of dependency. Nearly half of the households reported decreased dependency, driven by factors such as alternative livelihoods, awareness of mangrove importance and regulatory measures. These findings underscore the need for policies that integrate conservation with livelihood support, promoting co-management, sustainable resource use and diversification of income sources to balance ecological sustainability with community well-being.