Multidimensional sustainability assessment of mangrove forests in the Segara Anakan Lagoon, Central Java, Indonesia

Abstract

Abstract. Ramadhani G, Wahyuningtyas J, Arifiandita DM, Ayuningtyas HR, Ashila J, Yap CK, Setyawan AD. 2025. Multidimensional sustainability assessment of mangrove forests in the Segara Anakan Lagoon, Central Java, Indonesia. Intl J Bonorowo Wetlands 15: 71-85. Mangrove ecosystems play a crucial role in supporting biodiversity, coastal protection, and community livelihoods in tropical regions, yet they remain vulnerable to multidimensional pressures. This study assesses the sustainability of mangrove forests in the Segara Anakan Lagoon, Central Java, Indonesia, using a modified Rapfish framework based on Multidimensional Scaling (MDS) across four dimensions: ecological, economic, socio-cultural, and institutional. Data were collected from 115 households in three coastal villages—Ujunggagak, Klaces, and Ujungalang—through structured surveys and field observations. Results show that while the ecological (55.99) and institutional (58.89) dimensions are moderately sustainable, the socio-cultural (42.79) and economic (27.74) aspects remain fairly unsustainable. Leverage analysis identified key sensitive attributes, including salinity regulation, livelihood diversification, community participation, and governance presence. Monte Carlo simulation confirmed model robustness, with an average deviation of only 0.67% across dimensions. The study highlights the imbalance among sustainability dimensions and emphasizes the importance of targeted interventions based on leverage points. These findings offer a practical roadmap for policymakers and coastal managers to enhance integrated mangrove management, potentially leading to significant improvements in the sustainability of mangrove ecosystems. The methodological approach also demonstrates the applicability of the Rapfish tool in complex socio-ecological systems, particularly in data-limited, community-based conservation settings.