* Corresponding author: (E-mail) sumon127@yahoo.com Implications of Mangrove Wetland in Socio-environmental Sector: Experiences from Southeast Coast of Chittagong, Bangladesh Md. Hadayet Ullah 1* , Md. Atiqul Islam Mondal 1 , Md. Riaz Uddin 1 , and Md. Azim Ferdous 2 1 Institute of Marine Sciences and Fisheries, University of Chittagong, Chittagong 4331, Bangladesh 2 Environmental Conservation, Department of Pharmaceutical Chemical and Environmental Science, University of Greenwich, England. ABSTRACT : Wetlands perform various functions of vital socio-ecological significance playing fundamental role in moderating monsoon tidal floods and coastal protection and generate goods and products such as fish and forest resources. The depletion of mangroves is a cause of serious environmental and economic concern to many developing countries. Problems of sustainability of mangrove ecosystems are not only technical but also socio-economic. Functions played by mangrove wetlands are of fundamental importance for society. The present study aims to identify the challenges of the mangrove wetlands of Southeast coast of Chittagong, their uses and socio-economic influence on local people, and the value of ecosystem services, and to suggest how to conserve this ecosystem in a more equitable way. Keywords : Mangrove, Wetland, Socio-environment, Southeast coast, Bangladesh Abbreviations : Ecosystem service value = ESV, Household = HH, Set Bag Net= SBN Journal of Forest Science Vol. 26, No. 2, pp. 103~111, August 2010 INTRODUCTION Wetlands perform key ecosystem functions that maintain the ecological integrity of the wetland ecosystems (Smith et al., 1995). They provide wildlife habitat, recharge ground water and deep aquifers, recycle nutrients, ameliorate downstream flooding and protect water quality and pro- duce biomass (Brinson et al., 1995; Ullah et al., 2005). The level of a function performed by a wetland is the result of its biotic and abiotic structural characteristics as well as their interactions (Taylor et al., 1990). Among the wetland ecosystem, mangrove wetlands along with sea grass and salt marsh habitats are the most productive eco- system in the world in terms of the quantity of vegetation production closely linked to the high production rates of associated fisheries (Hena et al., 2007). Mangrove also designates the marine tidal forest that includes trees, shrubs, palms, epiphytes and ferns (Tomlinson, 1986). The high productivity of mangrove ecosystems means that they provide ample food supplies to maintain a complex food chain. They therefore provide fertile habitats and nursery grounds for many wild species of commercial importance, including shellfish and fish. Thus, the ecosystem service value is high. The southeast coastal area of Bangladesh is characterized by both natural and planted forest. Rec- ognition of the protective role of natural mangroves, the Sundarbans, inspired the government to start a coastal afforestation program in 1966 to strengthen coastal protec- tion. Four Coastal Afforestation Divisions were established to administer the program. the primary objective was to mitigate the catastrophic effects of cyclones and storm surges by this planted natural barrier (Siddiqi, 2001); however, other objectives were added later, namely timber production, the conservation and stabilization of newly accreted lands, the acceleration of accretion (with the ul- timate aim of transferring a large part of this land to agriculture), the creation of employment opportunities for coastal communities; and the development of suitable habitat for wildlife and aquatic species (Canonizado, 1999). At first, the plantation was restricted to a few major