Perceived Seagrass Ecosystem Services and Community Support for Conservation: A PLS-SEM Approach in Coastal Communities of Soropia, Indonesia

Abstract

Seagrass ecosystems provide essential ecological and socio-cultural benefits that contribute to coastal resilience and community well-being. However, conservation success depends not only on ecological restoration but also on how communities perceive ecosystem services and translate these perceptions into conservation support. This study aims to examine coastal communities’ perceptions of seagrass ecosystem services and investigate the structural relationships between perceived ecosystem benefits and support for seagrass conservation. A quantitative survey was conducted among 188 coastal residents in Soropia District, Southeast Sulawesi, Indonesia. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) to evaluate the influence of coastal protection, nursery ground functions, water quality regulation, and aesthetic values on conservation support. The results showed that all dimensions of seagrass ecosystem services were perceived at a very high level, with perception scores ranging from 80.51% to 88.96%. The nursery ground function received the highest perception score, while water quality regulation was the least recognized service. The structural model revealed that coastal protection (β = 0.178; p = 0.041) and aesthetic value (β = 0.335; p = 0.003) significantly influenced conservation support, whereas nursery ground and water quality regulation showed positive but non-significant effects. These findings demonstrate that community conservation support is more strongly driven by ecosystem benefits that are directly observable and socially relevant. Strengthening community-based seagrass conservation strategies should therefore integrate visible ecosystem benefits with improved awareness of less tangible ecological functions.