Advertisement

Sundarbans a Dynamic Ecosystem: An Overview of Opportunities, Threats and Tasks

  • Shafi Noor IslamEmail author
Chapter
First Online:
Part of the Coastal Research Library book series (COASTALRL, volume 30)

Abstract

The Sundarbans, spreading over 10,000 km2 area, is one of the largest productive deltas in the world, and is located in the Ganges-Brahmaputra-Meghna river basin over parts of Bangladesh and India. The coastal mangrove wetland is playing a potential role in balancing the ecology, community socio-economy, and livelihoods of the community. It is a hotspot of mangrove biodiversity with 373 faunal and 324 floral species. The ecosystem is dynamic, fragile and complex owing to several climate-, soil-, and water- related stress factors. Climate change and several anthropogenic interventions have transformed the natural landscape with significant changes in the social matrix. The salinity intrusion of water is the most sensitive and serious threat for mangrove ecosystem in the coastal region, more in Bangladesh. Since the diversion of Ganges freshwater at Farakka Barrage in India since early 1975, salinity levels have increased drastically in the coastal region in Bangladesh. The reduction of Ganges flow has made disastrous effects on agriculture, fisheries, hydro-morphology, drinking water and mangrove coastal ecosystem. All these factors, individually and collectively, pose serious threats to livelihood and food security for the coastal community in Sundarbans, and what’s more, to the ecological balance. E-flow assessment methodologies are discussed in this chapter with reference to attempts made in Bangladesh. It is believed that the present coastal mangrove wetland ecosystem conservation and planning policy is inadequate. In this backdrop, the article suggests in this introductory chapter thrust on future policies for better management, monitoring and conservation of the Sundarbans in a transboundary mode towards improved livelihood.

Keywords

Sundarbans mangrove Wetland Ecosystem Biodiversity Salinity intrusion Agricultural crop production Food security Management and conservation 
This is a preview of subscription content, log in to check access.

References

  1. Adeel Z, Pomeray R (2002) Assessment and management of mangrove ecosystems in developing countries. Trees 16(2–3):235–238CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  2. Adel MM (2001) Effect of water resources from upstream water diversion in the Ganges Basin. J Environ Qual 30(Environmental Issue):356–368CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  3. Ahmed R, Falk GC (2008) ‘Bangladesh’: environment under pressure. Geographesche Rundschau Int Edn 4(1):13–19Google Scholar
  4. Akter J (2010) Environmental flow assessment for the Ganges River. M.Sc. thesis (Unpublished), Department of Water Resources Engineering, Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology, Dhaka, Bangladesh, pp 1–158Google Scholar
  5. Akter J, Islam SN, Gnauck A (2010) Water resources management in the coastal region of Bangladesh. In: Modellierung und Simulation von Okosystemen. Shaker-Verlag Aachen, Germany, pp 167–185Google Scholar
  6. Anon (1995) Integrated resource management plan of the Sundarbans reserved forest, vol. 1. Draft final report of FAO/UNDP project BGD/84/056 - integrated resource development of the Sundarbans resource forest, Khulna, Bangladesh, p 385Google Scholar
  7. Anwar J (1988) Geology of coastal area of Bangladesh and recommendation for resource development and management. In: Proceedings national workshop on coastal area resource development and management, Part II. CARDMA, Dhaka, Bangladesh, pp 36–56Google Scholar
  8. Biswas SR, Choudhury JK, Nishat A, Rahman M (2007) Do Invasive plants threaten the sundarbans mangrove forest of Bangladesh? For Ecol Manag 245(1-3):1–9CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  9. Broadus JM (1993) Possible impact of land adjustment to sea level rise: the cases of Bangladesh and Egypt. In: Warrick RA, Barrow EM, Wigley TML (eds) Climate and sea-level change; observations, projections and implication. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, pp 263–275Google Scholar
  10. Brown BE (1997) The conversion of mangroves for shrimp aquaculture development. In: Integrated Coastal Management: South Asia, vol 4. University of Newcastle, Newcastle, pp 1–19Google Scholar
  11. Chowdhury ZU, Haque A (1990) Permissible water withdrawal based upon prediction of salt-water intrusion in the Meghna Delta. In: The hydrological basin for water resources management, proceedings of the Beijing symposium, October 1990, IAITS Publ. no. 197, pp 111–117Google Scholar
  12. Costanza R (1997) The value of the world’s ecosystem services and natural capital. Nature 387:253–260CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  13. Daily GC (1997) Nature’s services, societal development on ecosystems. Island Press, Washington, DCGoogle Scholar
  14. Dasgupta P (2001) Human well-being and the natural environment. Oxford University Press, OxfordCrossRefGoogle Scholar
  15. Deb AK (1997) Fake blue revolution: environmental and socio-economic impact of shrimp culture in the coastalareas of Bangladesh. Ocean Coastal Manage 41(1):63–88CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  16. DoF (Department of Fisheries) (2003) Fishery statistical year book of Bangladesh: 2002–2003Google Scholar
  17. Dutta AK, Iftekhar MS (2004) The species survival in the homestead forests of salt affected areas: a perception analysis for Bangladesh. J Biol Sci 4(3):309–313CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  18. EGIS (Environmental and Geographical Information Services) (1997) Morphological dynamics of the Brahmaputra-Jamuna river. Environment and GIS Support Project for Water Sector Planning, Waterloopkundig Laboratorium (Delft, Netherlands), Water Resources Planning Organization (Bangladesh)Google Scholar
  19. EGIS (Environmental and Geographical Information Services) (2000) Environmental baseline of Gorai river restoration project, EGIS-II. Bangladesh Water Development Board, Ministry of Water Resources, Government of Bangladesh and Resource Analysis B.V., Delft, The Netherlands, p 150Google Scholar
  20. Elahi KM, Das SC, Sultana S (1998) Geography of coastal environment: a study of selected issues. In: Bayes A, Muhammad A (eds) An analytical discourse on development. The University Press Limited, Dhaka, pp 336–368Google Scholar
  21. Erdogan E, Kuter N (2010) Coastal landscapes and conservation issues: Antalya Phaselis. African Journal of Agricultural Research 5(7):468–475Google Scholar
  22. ESCAP (Economic and Social Commission of Asia and the Pacific) (1988) Coastal environment management plan for Bangladesh, Final report, vol 2. ESCAP, BangkokGoogle Scholar
  23. FAO (Food and Agricultural Organization) (2007) The world’s mangroves 1980–2005Google Scholar
  24. FAP (Flood Action Plan) 24 (1996). River survey project- morphology of Gorai off-take: special report no. 10. 10. WARPO, DhakaGoogle Scholar
  25. Farley J, Batker D, IDL T et al (2010) Conserving mangrove ecosystems in the Philippines: transcending disciplinary and institutional borders. Environ Manage 45:39–51CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  26. Fedra K, Feoli E (1999) GIS technology and spatial analysis in coastal zone management. In: Belfiore S (ed) Education and training in integrated coastal area management: the Mediterranean prospect. Ocean Change, GenoaGoogle Scholar
  27. Freemark KC, Hummon DW, Hulse D (1996) Modeling risks to biodiversity in past, present and future landscapes. Technical report no. 268, Environment Canada, Canadian Wild Life Service, Ottawa, CanadaGoogle Scholar
  28. Fujimoto K (2000) Belowground carbon sequestration of mangrove forests in the Asia-Pacific region. In: Proceedings of Asia-Pacific cooperation on research for conservation of mangroves, Okinawa, Japan, pp 87-96Google Scholar
  29. GOB (Government of Bangladesh) (1999) National water policy. Ministry of Water Resources, Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh, DhakaGoogle Scholar
  30. GOB (Government of Bangladesh) (2001) Coastal and wetland biodiversity management. Government of Bangladesh, DhakaGoogle Scholar
  31. Goodbred SL, Kuehl SA (2000) Late quaternary evolution of the Ganges-Brahmaputra river delta: significance of high sediment discharge and tectonic process on margin sequence development. Sedimentary Geology 133:227–248CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  32. Goodbred SL, Nicholls R (2004) Towards integrated assessment of the Ganges-Brahmaputra delta. In: Proceeding of the 5th international conference on Asian marine geology and 1st annual meeting of IGCP475 Delta and APN Mega-Delta, 13 Feb 2004Google Scholar
  33. Gopal B, Chauhan M (2006) Biodiversity and its conservation in the Sundarban mangrove ecosystem. Aquatic Sci 68:338–354CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  34. Gopal B, Wetzel G (1995) Limlogy in developing countries, vol 1. International Association of Limnology, New Delhi, p 230Google Scholar
  35. Grigg NS (1996) Water resources management principles, regulation and cases. McGraw Hill, Washington, DC, pp 8–14Google Scholar
  36. Harvey LDD (2000) Climate and global environmental change. Pearson Education Ltd., Harlow, pp 187–207Google Scholar
  37. Hasan S, Mulamoottil G (1994) Natural resource management in Bangladesh. AMBIO 23(2):141–145Google Scholar
  38. Helmer R, Hespanhol I (eds) (1997) Water pollution control. A guide to the use of water quality management principles. E&FN SPON, London, pp 304–316Google Scholar
  39. Hidayati D (2000) Coastal management in ASEAN countries - the struggle to achieve sustainable coastal development. UN University Press, Tokyo, p 74Google Scholar
  40. Hossain MS (2001) Biological aspects of the coastal and marine environment of Bangladesh. http://www.doe-bd.org/cwbmp/inception_report/on. 9 July 2017CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  41. Hossain MS, Lin CK (2002) Land suitability analysis for integrated coastal zone management in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh: a remote sensing and GIS approach. In: Proceedings of the coastal zone Asia Pacific conference, May 2002, Bangkok, ThailandGoogle Scholar
  42. Hughes R, Adnan S, Clayton BD (1994) Floodplain or Flood Plain? A review of approaches to water management in Bangladesh. IIED, London, pp 1–12Google Scholar
  43. Hussain Z, Acharya G (1994) Mangrove of the Sundarbans, vol. 2, Bangladesh. IUCN, Bangkok, Thailand, Dyna Print Ltd, p 209Google Scholar
  44. IECO (1980) Southwest regional plan: supplement e: saline intrusion and tidal hydraulics; supplement f: environment and ecology (part I & II); supplement g: fishery (part I & II); supplement h: forestry (part I & II); supplement i: navigation; supplement j: augmentation of the dry-season flows of the Ganges. Bangladesh Water Development Board, DhakaGoogle Scholar
  45. Iftekhar MS (2006) Conservation and management of the Bangladesh coastal ecosystem: overview of an integrated approach. Natural Resources Forum 30:230–237CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  46. IPCC (2007) Summary for Policymakers. In: Palutikof J, van der Linden P, Hanson C (eds) Climate change 2007: impacts, adaptation and vulnerability. Contribution of working group II to the fourth assessment report of the intergovernmental panel on climate Change. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, pp 7–22Google Scholar
  47. Islam MS (2001) Sea-level changes in Bangladesh: last ten thousand years. Asiatic Society of Bangladesh. Asiatic Civil Military Press, Dhaka, p 185Google Scholar
  48. Islam SN (2003) Sustainable eco-tourism as a practical site management policy. AH Development Publishing House, Dhaka, p 175Google Scholar
  49. Islam S (ed) (2006) Encyclopedia of Bengal. Asiatic Society of Bangladesh. Asiatic Civil Military Press, DhakaGoogle Scholar
  50. Islam R (2007a) Pre- and post-tsunami coastal planning and land-use policies and issues in Bangladesh. In: Proceedings workshop on coastal area planning and management in Asian tsunami-affected countries, 27–29 September 2006, Bangkok, Thailand. Session I: The regional perspective. Food and Agriculture Organization, United Nations, Regional Office for Asia and The Pacific, BangkokGoogle Scholar
  51. Islam SN (2007b) Water salinity and thresholds for the protection of mangrove wetland ecosystems in the Sundarbans region. In: Ganuck A (ed) Modellierung und Simulation von Ökosystemen (Modelling and Simulation of Ecosystems Journal). Shaker Verlag, Aachen, pp 187–201Google Scholar
  52. Islam SN (2016) Deltaic floodplains development and wetland ecosystems management in the Ganges-Brahmaputra-Meghna rivers delta in Bangladesh. Sustainable Water Resource Management 2(3):237–256.  https://doi.org/10.1007/s40899-016=0047-6 CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  53. Islam SN, Gnauck A (2007a) Effects of salinity intrusion in mangrove wetlands ecosystems in the Sundarbans: an alternative approach for sustainable management. In: Okruszko T, Jerecka M, Kosinski K (eds) Wetlands: monitoring modelling and management. Taylor & Francis/Balkema, Leiden, pp 315–322Google Scholar
  54. Islam SN, Gnauck A (2007b) Increased salinity in the Ganges delta and impacts on coastal environment in Bangladesh. In: Skvorsova LA (ed) Proceedings of the international scientific-practical conference logistics and economics of resource and energy-saving in industries (ISPC “LEREI -2-2007”), 12–15 September 2007. Saratov State Technical University, Russia, pp 244–248Google Scholar
  55. Islam SN, Gnauck A (2008) Mangrove wetland ecosystems in Ganges-Brahmaputra delta in Bangladesh. Frontiers of Earth Science in China. Higher Education Press and Springer Verlag 2(4):439–448Google Scholar
  56. Islam SN, Gnauck A (2009a) Threats to the Sundarbans mangrove wetland ecosystems from transboundary water allocation in the Ganges basin: a preliminary problem analysis. International Journal of Ecological Economics & Statistics 13:64–78Google Scholar
  57. Islam SN, Gnauck A (2009b) The coastal mangrove wetland ecosystems in the Ganges delta: a case study on the Sundarbans in Bangladesh. In: Proceeding American Association of Petroleum Geologist (AAPG), Hedberg conference variations in fluvial-deltaic and coastal reservoirs deposited in tropical environments, 29 April–2 May 2009, Jakarta, pp 26–29Google Scholar
  58. Islam SN, Reinstädtler S, Fredaush J (2017) Challenges of climate change impacts on urban water quality management and planning in coastal towns of Bangladesh. International Journal of Environment and Sustainable Development 16(3):228–256CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  59. Islam SN, Reinstadtler S, Gnauck A (2019) Invasive species in the Sundarbans coastal zone (Bangladesh) in times of climate change: chances and threats. In: Makowski C, Finkl CW (eds) Impacts of invasive species on coastal environments coast in crisis, Coastal Research Library 29. Springer, pp 63–85Google Scholar
  60. IWM (Institute of Water Modelling) (2003) Sundarbans biodiversity conservation project surface water modelling TA No. 3158 BAN, Final report, Vol. 1. IWM, Dhaka, BangladeshGoogle Scholar
  61. Jabbar MA (1979) Land accretion in the coastal area of Bangladesh-report of Bangladesh landsat programme, Dhaka, pp 43Google Scholar
  62. Jagtap TG (1985) Ecological studies in relation to the mangrove environment along the Goa coast, India, PhD thesis, Shivaji University, KolhapurGoogle Scholar
  63. Jalal KF (1988) Towards a national strategy on coastal resources management in Bangladesh. In Proceedings national workshop coastal area resource development and management, Part II. CARDMA, Dhaka, Bangladesh, pp 67–78Google Scholar
  64. Joseph PS (2006) The environmental management the better supply of fresh water in transboundary river: the Ganges could run dry. In: Perez JG (ed) Proceedings of III international symposium on transboundary waters management-overcoming water management boundaries, 30 May−2 June 2006, Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha, Ciudad Real, SpainGoogle Scholar
  65. Katebi MNA (2001) Sundarbans and forestry. In: Haider (ed) Cyclone’91-an environmental and perceptional study. BCAS, Dhaka, pp 79–100Google Scholar
  66. Khan AA (1993) Fresh water wetlands in Bangladesh: opportunities and options. In: Nishat A, Hussain Z, Roy MK et al (eds) Freshwater wetlands in Bangladesh issues and approaches for management. IUCN, DhakaGoogle Scholar
  67. Khan MS, Haq E, Huq S et al (eds) (1994) Wetlands of Bangladesh. Holyday Printers, Dhaka, p 88Google Scholar
  68. McGarigal K, McComb WC (1999) Forest fragmentation effects on breeding birds in the Oregon Coast Range. In: Rochelle JA, Lehman LA, Wisniewski J et al (eds) Forest fragmentation: wildlife and management implications. Koninklijke Brill NV, Leiden, pp 223–246Google Scholar
  69. MEA (Mellenium Ecosystem Assessment) (2003) Ecosystems and human well-being: a framework for assessment. Millennium Ecosystem Assessment. Island Press, Washington, DCGoogle Scholar
  70. Miah MM (1989) Siltation and coastal zone management. Bangladesh country study, Report BIDS, DhakaGoogle Scholar
  71. Miah MA (2001) Effect on water resources from upstream water diversion in the Ganges Basin. J Environ Qual 30(2):356–368CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  72. Miah MG, Bari MN (2002) Ecology and management of the Sundarbans mangrove ecosystems Bangladesh. In: Managing transboundary nature resources: case studies on Sundarbans mangrove ecosystems. Occational papers, UNESCO, New Delhi, p 44Google Scholar
  73. Miah MG, Bari MN, Rahman MA (2010) Resource degradation and livelihood in the coastal region of Bangladesh. Frontiers Earth Sci China 4(4):427–437CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  74. Milliman JD, Broadus JM, Gable F (1989) Environmental and economic implication of rising sea level and subsiding deltas: the Nile and Bengal Examples. Ambio 18(6):340–345Google Scholar
  75. Mohiuddin A (2005) Metropolitan government and improvement potentials of urban basic services governance in Dhaka city, Bangladesh: rhetoric or reality? Theoretical Empirical Res Urban Manage 5(14):59–81Google Scholar
  76. MoWR (Ministry of Water Resource) (2005) The national coastal zone policy. Ministry of Water Resources, DhakaGoogle Scholar
  77. Nair KS (2004) Wetlands management to meet the food and water crisis- example from a tropical region. In Abstracts book of 7th INTECOL international conference on wetlands, 25–30 July 2004, Utreacht, the Netherlands, p 217Google Scholar
  78. Nishat A (1988) Review of the present activities and state of art of the coastal areas of Bangladesh. In: National workshop on coastal area resource development and management, Part II. CARDMA, Dhaka, Bangladesh, pp 23–35Google Scholar
  79. Nishat A (2003) Management of fresh water wetlands in Bangladesh: issues and strategy overview of an integrated approach. Nat Resour Forum 30:230–237Google Scholar
  80. Nishat A (2006) Water at Farakka Barrage in 2006. http://www.ajkerkagoj.com/2006/April08/Dhaka
  81. PDO-ICZMP (Programm Development Office for Integrated Coastal Zone Management Plan) (2005) Coastal land use and indicative land zones, pDO-ICZMP. Water Resources Planning Organization, Dhaka, Bangladesh, pp 1–64.19Google Scholar
  82. Peine JD (ed) (1998) Ecosystem management for sustainability – principles and practices illustrated by a regional biosphere reserve cooperative. Lewis Publishers, Washington, DCGoogle Scholar
  83. Primavera JH (1997) Socio-economic impacts of shrimp culture. Aquacult Res 28:815–827CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  84. Rahman A (1988) Bangladesh coastal environment and management. In: National workshop on coastal area resource development and management, part II. CARDMA, Dhaka, Bangladesh, pp 1–22Google Scholar
  85. Rahman MM (1995) Wetlands and biodiversity: a case study of common property resources in Bangladesh. Conference paper at the 5th annual common property conference, 24–28 May 1995, Bodo, Norway, pp 1–10Google Scholar
  86. Rahman M, Ahsan A (2001) Salinity constraints and agricultural productivity in coastal saline area of Bangladesh. In: Rahman M (ed) Soil resources in Bangladesh: assessment and utilization. Soil Resource Development Institute, Prokash Mudrayan, Dhaka, pp 2–14Google Scholar
  87. Rahman AA, Haque N (2003) Poverty reduction and sustainable livelihoods in Bangladesh mainstreaming natural resource management into policies, institutions and process. BCAS, Dhaka, pp 1–14Google Scholar
  88. Richards JF (1990) Agricultural impacts in tropical wetlands: rice paddies for mangroves in South and Southeast Asia. In: Williams M (ed) Wetlands: a threatened landscape. Basil Blackwell, Oxford, pp 217–233Google Scholar
  89. Richards JF, Flint EP (1991) Longterm transformations in the Sundarbans wetlands forests of Bengal. In: Seidensticker J, Kurin R, Townsend AK (eds) The common in South Asia: societal pressures and environmental integrity in the Sundarbans. The International Centre/Smithsonian Institution, Washington, DCGoogle Scholar
  90. Sarker SU (1993) Faunal diversity and their conservation in freshwater wetlands. In: Freshwater wetlands in Bangladesh: issues and approaches for management. Gland: IUCN, Switzerland, p 364Google Scholar
  91. Sarker MH, Huque I, Alam M et al (2003) Rivers, chars and char dwellers of Bangladesh. J River Basin Manage 1(1):61–80CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  92. Siddiqi NA (2001) Mangrove forestry in Bangladesh. Institute of Forestry and Environmental Science/University of Chittagong, Chittagong, pp 1–183Google Scholar
  93. Tharme RE (1997) Chapter 2: review of IFR methodologies. In: Metsi Consultants. Lesotho Highlands water project. Task 1 Report: IFR methodology and parameters. Consulting services for the establishment and monitoring of the instream flow requirements for river courses downstream of LHWP dams, Report no. 648-02, Lesotho Highlands Development Authority, LesothoGoogle Scholar
  94. Tharme RE (2000) In draft international trends in the development and application of environmental flow methodologies: a review. Water Research Commission Technology transfer report. Water Research Commission, PretoriaGoogle Scholar
  95. Tharme RE (2003) Global perspective on environmental flow assessment and application of environmental flow methodologies for rivers. River Research and applications 19:397–441CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  96. Tress B, Tress G, Fry G (2005) Integrative studies on rural landscapes: policy expectations and research practice. Landsc Urban Plan 70:177–191CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  97. Turner MG, Gardner RH, O’Neil RV (2001) Landscape ecology in theory and practice: pattern and process. Springer, New YorkGoogle Scholar
  98. UNEP (United Nations Environmental Programme) (1995) Global diversity assessment. UNEP, Verlag Berlin, Washington, DC, pp 439–448Google Scholar
  99. Wolanski E, Brinson MM, Cahon DR et al (2009) Coastal wetlands: a synthesis. In: Coastal wetlands- an integrated ecosystem approach. Elsevier, New York, pp 1–62Google Scholar

Copyright information

© Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2019

Authors and Affiliations

  1. 1.Department of Geography and Environmental Studies, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences (FASS)Universiti Brunei DarussalamBandar Seri BegawanBrunei Darussalam

Personalised recommendations

Cite chapter

Buy options