Toward Resilient Mangrove Coasts: Integrating Ecological Pressures, Community Participation, and Policy Coherence in Segara Anakan Lagoon, Indonesia

ABSTRACT

Segara Anakan Lagoon in Cilacap, Central Java, Indonesia features a vital mangrove ecosystem that plays a crucial role in maintaining coastal stability, protecting biodiversity, and supporting the livelihoods of local communities. Besides its ecological and economic significance, this ecosystem faces strong pressure from environmental changes and destructive activities, especially land conversion like uncontrolled conversion of mangrove land into shrimp ponds and resource exploitation that ignore sustainability. This study contributes by developing an integrative socio‐ecological framework that links ecological pressures, governance systems, and community participation, while quantitatively identifying governance–community mismatches using a Guttman scaling approach. Additionally, a gap exists between existing legal frameworks and the actual needs of local stakeholders, which hampers effective mangrove management. Strengthening the resilient of the Segara Anakan mangrove ecosystem requires more strategic and integrated approaches to assure long‐term sustainability and bridge ecological dynamics with governance and community capacity. Specifically, enhance community empowerment, achieving conservation goals, and strengthening institutions are critical to addressing disparities and ensuring sustainable management.