The role of economic and ecosystem change on mental wellbeing

Author(s)
Karyn Morrissey, Lora E. Fleming, Thu Ha Nguyen, Bethany R. Roberts, Le Ngoc Thao, Mathew White, Kim Zandberg
Abstract

This paper explores the complex relationships between changes in the state of a coral reef, rapid economic growth, and mental wellbeing for residents of Tân Hiệp commune (Vietnam). With its designation as a UNESCO Biosphere reserve status 10 years previously, the Tân Hiệp coral reef offers an important example of an ecosystem that remains central to the coastal community, but whose associated ecosystem services have largely transferred from provisioning (fishing) to cultural (tourism). Using the ‘ecosystems enriched’ Driver, Pressure, State, Exposure, Effect, Action framework (eDPSEEA), to help develop a theoretical model of the relationships between changes to the coral ecosystem, it's capacity to provide ecosystem services and the impacts on human wellbeing using the Cù Lao Chàm UNESCO biosphere reserve as a case study site. Mediation analysis found that when examined through the pathways of the eDPSEEA framework, the social and environmental pressures associated with the rapid economic development of the island over the last 10 years have a significant negative association with resident mental wellbeing. Using the eDPSEEA framework to examine the pathways in which ecosystem change impacts human wellbeing, this analysis demonstrates the complexity of our dependence on coastal ecosystems, and the nuance required to develop and sustain effective ‘actions’ to manage human and ecosystems health in the future.

Organisation(s)
Vienna Cognitive Science Hub
External organisation(s)
Technical University of Denmark (DTU), Cham Islands Biosphere Reserve, University of Exeter, Hanoi National University of Education
Journal
Ocean and Coastal Management
Volume
244
No. of pages
9
ISSN
0964-5691
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ocecoaman.2023.106820
Publication date
09-2023
Peer reviewed
Yes
Austrian Fields of Science 2012
501001 General psychology
ASJC Scopus subject areas
Aquatic Science, Management, Monitoring, Policy and Law, Oceanography
Sustainable Development Goals
SDG 14 - Life Below Water
Portal url
https://ucris.univie.ac.at/portal/en/publications/the-role-of-economic-and-ecosystem-change-on-mental-wellbeing(b030f013-fe59-4b0c-98b7-e7834198ff94).html