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Climate Change Impact on Sundarbans: Challenges for Mitigation Strategies

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Climate Change in Bangladesh

Part of the book series: Springer Climate ((SPCL))

Abstract

The Sundarbans, the largest single block of tidal halophytic mangrove forest, has been facing increased challenges due to the combined effects of natural and anthropogenic disturbances. Climate change coupled with anthropogenic disturbances poses a great threat to the existence of this mangrove. Many regions of the world are affected by climate change, but Sundarbans is one of the highest affected regions due to high level of salinity, sedimentation, and land erosion. The salinity is increasing day by day due to frequent cyclones, sedimentation, and brackish tiger prawn cultivation. The increased salinity is jeopardizing the ecosystems of Sundarbans and poses more risk than any other stressors. The study aims to assess the impact of salinity on the pioneer and indicator plant species in terms of species distribution and the coping capacity with the increased salinity. Primary data was collected from 30 sample plots which were fresh swamp and fresh–brackish swamp in the past. Secondary historical data was collected from the Forest Department to understand the natural dynamics. It was found that the fresh swamp forests disappeared from their historical range. The pioneer species, Heritiera fomes, and the indicator species Nipa fruticans and Phoenix pelludosa are being replaced by the invasive species and highly salt-tolerant Avicennia marina. An immediate action is required to stop tiger prawn culture and to restore the government-owned canals from the encroachers.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Information and Communication Technology Division, Dhaka, Bangladesh

    Md. Mizanur Rahman & Md. Rakib Hossain

  2. Department of Geography and Environment, Jahangirnagar University, Savar, Dhaka, Bangladesh

    Md. Nazrul Islam

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  1. Md. Mizanur Rahman
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  2. Md. Rakib Hossain
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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Environmental Sciences and Management, North South University, Dhaka, Bangladesh

    Md. Jakariya

  2. Geography and Environment, Jahangirnagar University, Dhaka, Bangladesh

    Md. Nazrul Islam

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Mizanur Rahman, M., Rakib Hossain, M., Nazrul Islam, M. (2021). Climate Change Impact on Sundarbans: Challenges for Mitigation Strategies. In: Jakariya, M., Islam, M.N. (eds) Climate Change in Bangladesh. Springer Climate. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-75825-7_3

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