Abstract
The Sundarban is the UNESCO designated World Biosphere Reserve (in 2001) and inscribed as the Natural World Heritage Site in 1987. It is the largest halophytic mangrove forest in a single block, famous for in-situ conservation of endangered endemics and magnificent biodiversity of flora and fauna. The mangrove forest and associates, marsh grass, phytoplankton, molluscs and other coastal vegetation in the Sundarban sequester a huge amount of ‘Blue Carbon’ that reduces the global warming. Nowadays, low-lying coastal areas and islands like the Sundarban are in the limelight of climate change. Sea level rise, sea surface temperature, both the intensity and frequency of tropical cyclones, air temperature, rainfall, salinity, surface water pH and water transparency, all the environmental indicators in the Sundarban, are increasing in trend. This chapter provides insights into the detailed examination of the environment in the Sundarban based on the existing literatures.
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Notes
- 1.
Mangrove Interpretation Center, Sajnekhali Beat Office, Sundarban Tiger Reserve, 2015.
- 2.
Endemic species are geographically constrained to one particular place on the earth. These are more likely to form in biologically isolated areas such as islands and large bodies of water and mountain areas. Endemic species run a higher risk of extinction because of their geographic isolation.
- 3.
The study is based on the data sets of Permanent Service for Mean Sea Level (PSMSL).
- 4.
The study used tide gauge data of five discontinuous years within a span of 14 years, such as 1985, 1990, 1996, 1997 and 1998.
- 5.
The ratio of frequency between Bay of Bengal and Arabian Sea is 4:1.
- 6.
Practical salinity units (psu).
- 7.
Parts per thousand (ppt).
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Mistri, A., Das, B. (2020). The Sundarban and Its Environment. In: Environmental Change, Livelihood Issues and Migration. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-13-8735-7_2
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