Publications
Drivers of mangrove ecosystem service change in the Sundarbans of Bangladesh
A significant decline in ecosystem services provided by the Sundarbans mangrove forest, driven by climatic change, rapid environmental shifts, global demand for mangrove products, infrastructure development, and governance failures, has been identified. The study, conducted through secondary data analysis and primary fieldwork across three districts in Bangladesh, reveals that most ecosystem services have deteriorated over the past two decades. Time series analysis and community perceptions highlighted these drivers, emphasizing the urgent need for transformative stewardship to mitigate irreversible environmental impacts.
Bangladesh Sundarbans: Present Status of the Environment and Biota
A significant decline in sediment-laden freshwater discharge through the Bangladesh Sundarbans Mangrove Forests (BSMF) since the Farakka Barrage's operation in 1975 has led to increased polyhaline conditions, threatening the growth and distribution of Heritiera fomes (sundri), a commercially important mangrove. This study reveals that the BSMF has lost approximately 66 km² of forestland, with a decrease in tree cover from 296 plants per hectare in 1959 to 144 by 1996 and a projected further decline to 109 plants per hectare by 2020. The research utilized Landsat satellite data and GIS analysis from 1970s to 2010, demonstrating that reduced freshwater discharge has altered the mangrove ecosystem, favoring less commercially valuable species like Bruguiera sexangula, Excoecaria agallocha, and Sonneratia apetala. The study suggests restoring pre-1975 sediment flow conditions through water sharing agreements and dredging to mitigate salinity and erosion, potentially funding such efforts through carbon trading, given the BSMF's substantial carbon reserve of 56 million metric tons.
The Indian Sundarban Mangrove Forests: History, Utilization, Conservation Strategies and Local Perception
Despite maintaining its vast extent, the Indian Sundarbans mangrove forest has experienced significant changes in health and structure over the past two-and-a-half centuries due to human interference, upstream development, extreme weather events, and climate change effects. This study reveals that while the areal coverage of the mangroves has remained relatively stable recently, their ecological integrity is under threat. Researchers used a multi-temporal and multi-scale approach, combining historical maps and remote sensing data, to trace these changes. The findings underscore the complex interplay between conservation strategies, local livelihoods, and environmental pressures, highlighting the need for adaptive management to protect this critical ecosystem.
Dynamics of Sundarban estuarine ecosystem: eutrophication induced threat to mangroves
Eutrophication poses a significant threat to the Sundarbans, the world's largest mangrove forest and only tiger habitat. A 2010 study revealed that high nutrient levels, particularly during winter, led to eutrophic conditions (Chlorophyll-a ≥10 μg/L), which negatively impacted phytoplankton biomass and species diversity. The research identified diatoms as the dominant phytoplankton group, with 46 taxa recorded across six groups. Key findings included the presence of bio-indicator species such as Polykrikos schwartzil and Dinophysis norvegica, signaling moderately polluted water quality. The study also highlighted that high salinity levels (21.2PSU) in May favored more resilient phytoplankton species. These insights underscore the deteriorating marine status of the Sundarban estuary, which threatens the ecology of this UNESCO World Heritage Site and raises concerns about the sustainability of its mangroves.
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