Environmental Education Model in Mangrove Ecosystem Service Enhancement

PT Kilang Pertamina Internasional Refinery Unit II Production Sungai Pakning, Indonesia

Abstract

Mangrove ecosystems provide essential ecosystem services, including regulating, provisioning, supporting, and cultural functions, yet many are threatened by coastal abrasion and degradation. This study evaluates two community-driven innovations in Pangkalan Jambi Village, Riau: the Mangrove Education Center (MEC) as a hub for education and livelihoods, and the Triangle Mangrove Barrier (TRIMBA) as a low-cost eco-engineering solution. Using the Toolkit for Ecosystem Services Site-based Assessment (TESSA), biophysical contributions were quantified, including carbon sequestration of about 10,208 tons of CO₂ per year, sediment retention of 28,380 m³, and biodiversity with 22 mangrove species and a bird diversity index of H’ = 3.19. MEC generated provisioning services worth IDR 188 million through seedlings, mangrove-based products, and ecotourism, while engaging around 1,200 participants annually in educational activities. Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA) showed that integrating MEC and TRIMBA increased the score from 7.05 to 8.75, indicating strong synergy across ecological, economic, and social dimensions. The novelty of this study lies in integrating educational ecosystem services into a quantitative TESSA and MCDA framework, which is rarely applied in blue-carbon and community-based restoration. The findings provide policy insights for strengthening community-led mangrove governance through education, livelihoods, and low-cost engineering within national coastal resilience and blue carbon strategies.