Hendra Gunawan, Mohammad Basyuni, Subarudi, Sri Suharti, Asihing Kustanti, Tien Wahyuni, Virni Budi Arifanti, Irma Yeny, Oding Affandi, Sugiarti, Diah Zuhriana, Tien Lastini, Tuti Herawati, Melani Kurnia Riswati, Rachman Effendi
Mangrove ecosystems are pivotal in biodiversity conservation, climate change mitigation, and coastal protection. However, they are severely threatened by deforestation, land conversion, pollution, and a lack of public awareness. Mangrove education has transformed conservation efforts by empowering communities with knowledge and skills for sustainable management. By integrating science with traditional wisdom, these programs have increased participation, fostered climate-resilient practices, and strengthened local policies. Education has shifted conservation from passive awareness to proactive, community-driven action, ensuring the long-term sustainability of Indonesia’s mangrove ecosystems. Here, we describe how mangrove education can transform coastal communities into sustainable mangrove conservation societies in Indonesia. Several case studies demonstrate diverse approaches that enhance knowledge, attitudes, and awareness regarding mangrove conservation. However, there are challenges that lie ahead, such as limited educator capacity, insufficient resources, and the need for long-term behavioral shifts. Capacity-building programs, the integration of mangrove content into school curricula, technology-driven and innovative teaching tools, and cross-sectoral collaboration are potential strategies to address these issues. This study highlights that education marks not only an enabling factor but also a foundation for sustaining ecosystems, climate change mitigation, and coastal communities’ empowerment. This review provides a pragmatic way forward for the conservation and restoration of Indonesia’s mangrove ecosystems by building on proven successes through the application of these educational strategies. © 2025 The Author(s). Published by Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.
Research Center for Ecology and Ethnobiology, National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), Jalan Raya Jakarta-Bogor Km 46, Cibinong, West Java, Bogor, 16911, Indonesia; Center of Excellence for Mangrove, Universitas Sumatera Utara, Medan, 20155, Indonesia; Research Center for Population, National Research and Innovation Agency, JL. Gatot Subroto, No. 10, Mampang Prapatan Jakarta, DKI Jakarta, Selatan, 12710, Indonesia; Faculty of Agriculture, Universitas Brawijaya, Jl. Veteran No. 1, East Java, Malang, Indonesia; Bureau for Public Communication, General Affairs, and Secretariat, National Research and Innovation Agency, B.J. Habibie Building, 20th floor, Jl. M.H. Thamrin No. 8, Central Jakarta, 10340, Indonesia; Human Resource Development and Extension Center Region III, Ministry of Forestry, Jl. Prada Samlawi, Rumpin, West Java, Bogor, 16350, Indonesia; School of Life Sciences, Institut Teknologi Bandung, Jl, Ganesa No. 10, Lb. Siliwangi, Kecamatan Coblong, Jawa Barat, Bandung, 40132, Indonesia; Human Resources Development Planning Center, Ministry of Forestry, Manggala Wanabakti Building Block VII, 4th floor, Jl. Gatot Subroto, Jakarta, Senayan, 10270, Indonesia; Research Center for Behavioral and Circular Economics, National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), Jakarta, 12710, Indonesia
