Interaction of Social-Ecological Systems in Achieving Sustainable Mangrove Tourism in Mandar Village, Banyuwangi Regency, Indonesia

The interaction between ecology and society is crucial for achieving the sustainability of the mangrove ecosystem and the well-being of the multicultural Mandar Village community. This study aimed to examine the interaction within the social-ecological system of Mandar Village's mangrove tourism. The main mangrove species in the tourism area include Rhizophora mucronata, Sonneratia alba, and Avicennia marina. The Tourism Suitability Index (IKW) was 56.41% at station 1 and 58.97% at station 2, categorizing both as conditionally appropriate. The sustainability status is rated as moderately sustainable at 56.55%, influenced mostly by characteristics such as mangrove thickness, labor absorption, tourist perception, and management rules. The mangrove environment, nature tourism, the Fisheries Service, water quality, and fisheries extension workers are the most prominent nodes in the degree centrality of the social-ecological system's interactions. The primary elements linking the nodes are the mangrove ecosystem and ecotourism. The categorization illustrates the intricacy of the relationship, resulting in the establishment of seven groupings based on analogous traits. Managers must enhance their capacity to oversee mangroves, address ongoing community concerns regarding the removal of debris from these ecosystems, develop innovative educational tourism attractions centered on mangroves, and foster collaboration between the government and community to bolster mangrove sustainability and economic prospects for community welfare.