Sundarban Mangrove Wetland (A UNESCO World Heritage Site) : A Comprehensive Global Treatise

Sundarban Mangrove Wetland: A Comprehensive Global Treatise provides an illustrative account of the ecology, biology, conservation and management strategies of this endangered UNESCO World Heritage Site. The book offers a comprehensive and accessible guide to a variety of wetland ecosystems, including endangered flora and fauna, the ecology and diversity of pelagic and benthic biota, the impact of multiple stresses on the biota, inorganic and organic pollutants in biotic and abiotic matrices and their remedial measures, the impact of climate change on mangrove plants, and their conservation and management strategies. Divided into seven chapters, the book presents a realistic summary of the wetland environment and its resources, citing individual case studies considering a host of topics of particular interest. Analysis of this unique wetland provides crucial comparisons with other wetlands and their status, environmental challenges and possible remedial measures. Sundarban Mangrove Wetland is an in-depth and up-to-date account ideal for the student, teacher or researcher in marine biology & ecology, environmental science, marine geochemistry, marine pollution and ecotoxicology and wastewater treatment. Covering both fundamental and advanced aspects, the book is also useful for policy makers and those involved in coastal resource conservation and management. Presents an in-depth and illustrative accounting of an iconic tropical mangrove wetland in an intelligible and easy-to-understand manner Provides a unique look at the ecology, biodiversity and conservation and management of the Sundarban wetlands, along with the emerging ecological issues that may affect long-term sustainability Focuses on several case studies, considering microzooplankton and trace metals in the Sundarban wetlands Front Cover Sundarban Mangrove Wetland (a UNESCO World Heritage Site) Copyright Page Dedication Contents Foreword Preface Acknowledgments Abbreviations and acronyms 1 Resource conservation and management 1.1 Classification and characteristics of coastal wetlands 1.2 Mangrove flora and fauna 1.2.1 Characteristics of mangrove plant species 1.2.2 Characteristics of temperate mangroves 1.2.3 Floristic composition of mangroves in India 1.2.3.1 Mangroves in Sundarban wetland 1.2.3.1.1 Physiographic set up and characterization 1.2.3.1.2 Mangrove species composition 1.2.3.1.3 Zonation of mangroves 1.2.3.2 Mangroves in east coast of India 1.2.3.2.1 Mangroves in Mahanadi Delta 1.2.3.2.2 Mangroves in Bhitarkanika 1.2.3.2.3 Mangroves in Krishna wetland 1.2.3.2.4 Mangroves in Godavari wetland 1.2.3.2.5 Mangroves in Pichavaram wetland 1.2.3.2.6 Mangroves in Muthupet wetland 1.2.3.3 Mangrove habitats in South and Southwest Coast of India 1.2.3.3.1 Mangroves in Kerala 1.2.3.3.2 Mangroves in Goa 1.2.3.3.3 Mangroves in Mumbai 1.2.3.3.4 Mangroves in Gulf of Kutch 1.2.3.3.5 Mangroves in Bhavnagar estuary 1.2.3.3.6 Mangroves in Lakshadweep 1.2.3.3.7 Mangroves in Andaman and Nicobar Islands 1.2.3.4 Trends of change in mangrove species diversity of India 1.2.3.5 Mangroves in South and South East Asia regions 1.2.3.5.1 Mangroves in Pakistan 1.2.3.5.2 Mangroves in Singapore 1.2.3.5.3 Mangroves in Sri Lanka 1.2.3.5.4 Mangroves in Thailand 1.2.3.5.5 Mangroves in Vietnam 1.2.3.5.6 Mangroves in Indonesia 1.2.3.5.7 Mangroves in Malaysia 1.2.3.5.8 Mangroves in Myanmar 1.2.3.5.9 Mangroves in the Philippines 1.2.3.5.10 Mangroves in Papua New Guinea 1.2.4 Mangrove community in other global regions 1.2.4.1 Mangroves in South America 1.2.4.2 Mangroves in North and Central America 1.2.4.3 Mangroves in Mexico 1.2.4.4 Mangroves in Africa 1.2.4.5 Mangroves in Australia 1.2.4.6 Mangroves in New Zealand 1.2.5 Global mangrove cover 1.2.6 Biogeographical division 1.2.6.1 Indo-West Pacific region (IWP) (old world mangroves) 1.2.6.2 Atlantic-East Pacific mangrove forests 1.2.7 Classification of mangrove landforms 1.2.7.1 Riverine mangrove forests: (R-type) 1.2.7.2 Fringe mangrove forests: (F-type) 1.2.7.3 Basin mangrove forests: (B-type) 1.2.7.4 Hammock mangrove forests 1.2.7.5 Dwarf mangrove forests 1.2.8 Structure and adaptation strategies of Mangroves 1.2.9 Endangered species in mangrove regions of the world and their conservation strategies 1.2.9.1 Sundari tree (Heritiera fomes; Buch.-Ham) (Malvaceae) 1.2.9.2 Horseshoe crab (Carcinoscorpius rotundicauda; Latreille, 1802) (Merostomata; Limulidae) 1.2.9.3 Estuarine or saltwater Crocodile (Crocodylus porosus; Schneider, 1801) (Reptilia; Crocodylidae) 1.2.9.4 Water monitor lizard (Varanus salvator; Laurenti, 1768) (Squamata; Varanidae) 1.2.9.5 Olive Ridley Turtle or Pacific Ridley sea turtle (Lepidochelys olivacea; Eschscholtz, 1829) (Reptilia; Cheloniidae) 1.2.9.6 River Terrapin (Batagur baska; Gray, 1830) (Reptilia; Geoemydidae) 1.2.9.7 Water mouse (Xeromys myoides; Thomas, 1889) (Mammalia; Muridae) 1.2.9.8 Fishing cat (Prionailurus viverrinus) (Mammalia; Felidae) 1.2.9.9 Ganges River Dolphin (Platanista gangetica gangetica; Lebeck, 1801 and Roxburgh, 1801) (Mammalia: Platanistidae) 1.2.9.10 Proboscis Monkey (Nasalis larvatus; Wurmb, 1787) (Mammalia; Cercopithecidae) 1.2.9.11 Royal Bengal Tiger (Panthera tigris tigris; Linnaeus, 1758) (Mammalia; Felidae) 1.2.10 Conclusion 1.3 Mangroves goods and ecosystem services 1.4 Mangroves: A carbon source and sink 1.5 Remote-sensing techniques for mangrove mapping References 2 Ecology and diversity of biota in Sundarban regions 2.1 Distribution and diversity of microbial communities 2.1.1 Bacterial communities 2.1.2 Fungal communities 2.1.3 Conclusion References 2.2 Distribution and diversity of phytoplankton of Sundarban 2.2.1 Introduction 2.2.2 Classification of plankton 2.2.3 Phytoplankton community in Sundarban regions 2.2.4 Phytoplankton cell volume in Indian Sundarban 2.2.5 Molecular characterization of phytoplankton 2.2.6 Phytoplankton community in tropical coastal regions 2.2.7 Phytoplankton responses to climate change 2.2.8 Conclusion References 2.3 Distribution and diversity of microzooplankton (Tintinnida: Ciliata) of Sundarban: a case study 2.3.1 Introduction 2.3.2 Materials and methods 2.3.2.1 Study sites 2.3.2.2 Sampling strategy and analytical protocol 2.3.2.3 Data analysis of sample 2.3.3 Results and discussion 2.3.3.1 Environmental variables 2.3.3.2 Taxonomic composition, community structure, and seasonal species distribution 2.3.3.3 Tintinnid numerical density, biomass and production rate 2.3.3.4 Effect of algal bloom on tintinnid community structure 2.3.3.5 Correlations between tintinnid communities and environmental variables 2.3.4 Conclusion References 2.4 Distribution and diversity of mesozooplankton of Sundarban: a case study 2.4.1 Introduction 2.4.2 Materials and methods 2.4.2.1 Study area, sampling, and sample processing 2.4.3 Results and discussion 2.4.3.1 Environmental variables 2.4.3.2 Mesozooplankton displacement values 2.4.3.3 Copepod 2.4.3.3.1 Copepod composition, distribution, and numerical abundance 2.4.3.3.2 Food and feeding habits of the copepods 2.4.3.3.3 Coexistence of Paracalanidae and Acartiidae family 2.4.3.3.4 Contribution of the small-sized copepods 2.4.3.3.5 Species diversity 2.4.3.4 Distribution of chaetognath and its maturity stages 2.4.3.5 Statistical analyses 2.4.4 Conclusion References 2.5 Distribution and diversity of dominant macrobenthos 2.5.1 Introduction 2.5.2 Cnidarian 2.5.3 Annelida 2.5.4 Arthropoda 2.5.5 Mollusca 2.5.6 Echinodermata 2.5.7 Miscellaneous groups 2.5.8 Conclusion References 2.6 Distribution and diversity of Ichthyofauna 2.6.1 Introduction 2.6.2 Morphology and taxonomy of marine fish 2.6.3 Distribution of marine fish 2.6.4 Impact of anthropogenic threats on fish 2.6.5 Conclusion References 2.7 Distribution and diversity of avifauna References 2.8 Distribution and diversity of herpetofauna References 2.9 Distribution and diversity of mammals References 3 Pollution in abiotic matrices and remedial measures 3.1 Distribution of trace metals in sediment core of Sundarban: a case study 3.1.1 Introduction 3.1.2 Material and methods 3.1.2.1 Collection, preservation, and chemical analyses of sediment samples 3.1.3 Results and discussion 3.1.3.1 Sediment geochemistry 3.1.3.2 Variation of trace metals in sediment cores 3.1.3.3 Evaluation of sediment contamination and ecological risks 3.1.3.3.1 Contamination factor 3.1.3.3.2 Modified degree of contamination 3.1.3.3.3 Pollution load index 3.1.3.3.4 Mean-effects range medium-quotient 3.1.3.3.5 Hazard quotient 3.1.3.3.6 Modified hazard quotient 3.1.3.3.7 Potential ecological risk index 3.1.4 Statistical analyses 3.1.5 Status of trace metal contamination in mangrove sediments in India and abroad 3.1.6 Conclusion References Further reading 3.2 Mercury and methylmercury in sediment cores of Sundarban: a case study 3.2.1 Introduction 3.2.2 Materials and methods 3.2.2.1 Sampling design and analytical protocol 3.2.3 Results and discussion 3.2.3.1 Sediment geochemistry 3.2.3.2 Distribution of total mercury in core sediments 3.2.3.3 Distribution of methylmercury (CH3Hg) in core sediments 3.2.3.4 Comparative account of mercury in other mangrove sediments 3.2.4 Remedial measures for mercury contamination 3.2.5 Conclusion References Further reading 3.3 Dissolved trace metals in coastal regions of Sundarban: a case study 3.3.1 Introduction 3.3.2 Material and methods 3.3.2.1 Study sites and collection and preservation of water samples 3.3.2.2 Sample preparation and chemical analyses 3.3.3 Results and discussion 3.3.3.1 Water quality characteristics 3.3.3.2 Distribution of different trace metals 3.3.3.3 Statistical interpretation 3.3.4 Carcinogenic risk assessment 3.3.5 Comparative account of dissolved metal concentrations 3.3.6 Conclusion References Further reading 4 Trace metal bioaccumulation 4.1 Trace metals in mesozooplankton of Sundarban: a case study 4.1.1 Introduction 4.1.2 Materials and methods 4.1.3 Results and discussion 4.1.3.1 Spatiotemporal distribution of dissolved trace metals 4.1.3.2 Concentration of dissolved metals in Zooplankton 4.1.4 Conclusion References 4.2 Trace metal accumulation in biota of Sundarban: a case study 4.2.1 Introduction 4.2.2 Materials and methods 4.2.2.1 Sample collection and analytical technique 4.2.3 Results and discussion 4.2.4 Conclusion References 4.3 Mercury in human hair and relation to fish consumption in Indian Sundarban: a case study 4.3.1 Introduction 4.3.2 Materials and methods 4.3.3 Results 4.3.3.1 Mercury concentration in hair 4.3.3.2 Fish consumption 4.3.4 Discussion References 5 Emerging contaminants and organic micropollutants 5.1 Introduction 5.1.1 Pharmaceutically active compounds 5.1.2 Endocrine disruptive chemicals 5.1.3 Conclusion 5.2 Persistent organic pollutants in sediment of Sundarban: Case studies 5.2.1 Levels of organochlorine pesticide residues in sediments 5.2.2 Levels of polychlorinated biphenyls in sediments 5.2.3 Levels of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in sediments 5.2.4 Levels of polybrominated diphenyl ethers in core sediments 5.2.5 Levels of perfluorinated compounds in sediment 5.3 Conclusion References 6 Phytoremediation of trace metals by mangrove plants 6.1 Accumulation of trace metals by mangrove plants in Sundarban: a case study 6.1.1 Introduction 6.2 Remediation mechanisms 6.2.1 Phytoextraction 6.2.2 Phytofiltration 6.2.3 Phytostabilization 6.2.4 Phytovolatilization 6.2.5 Rhizodegradation 6.2.6 Phytodesalination 6.3 Material and methods 6.3.1 Collection and preservation of plant and rhizosediment sample 6.3.2 Physicochemical analyses of sediments 6.3.3 Trace metal analyses 6.4 Phytoremediation efficiency 6.4.1 Translocation factor 6.4.2 Bioconcentration factor (BCF) 6.5 Results and discussion 6.5.1 Sediment geochemistry 6.5.2 Trace metals in host sediments 6.5.3 Potential risk assessment 6.5.4 Trace metal(loid)s concentration in mangrove plant organs 6.6 Bioconcentration and translocation factors 6.7 Statistical analyses 6.8 Conclusion References 7 Mangroves and climate change: a global issue 7.1 Mangrove wetland vulnerability to climate change 7.1.1 Introduction 7.1.2 Climate change threats 7.1.2.1 Sea-level rise 7.1.2.1.1 Mangrove responses to changing sea level 7.1.2.1.2 Impact of climate change on Sundarban mangrove regions 7.1.2.1.3 Submergence of islands in Sundarban delta 7.1.2.2 Air and water temperature 7.1.2.3 Atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) concentration 7.1.2.4 Cyclonic activity 7.1.2.5 Precipitation 7.1.2.6 UV changes 7.1.3 Conclusion References Further reading 7.2 Extinction risk of mangroves and geographic areas of global concern 7.2.1 Introduction 7.2.2 Regional and national rates and causes of loss 7.2.2.1 Southeast Asia 7.2.2.2 South Asia 7.2.2.3 East Asia 7.2.2.4 Pacific 7.2.2.5 Australasia 7.2.2.6 North and Central America 7.2.2.7 South America 7.2.2.8 Africa 7.2.2.9 The Middle East 7.2.3 Impact of mangrove forest degradation on biodiversity 7.2.4 Conclusion References Further reading 7.3 Mangroves as a protection from extreme climatic events 7.3.1 Introduction 7.3.2 Role of mangroves in mitigating coastal disasters 7.3.2.1 Mangroves as a protection from wind and wave damage during storms 7.3.2.2 Mangroves for flood protection 7.3.2.3 Mangroves as a protection from sea-level rise 7.3.2.4 Mangroves as a protection from Indian Ocean tsunami disaster in 2004 7.3.3 Conclusion References Further reading 7.4 Conservation of mangrove wetland: strategies and future challenges 7.4.1 Introduction 7.4.2 Legislative protection of mangrove forests 7.4.2.1 Declaration of protected areas 7.4.2.2 Coastal zoning for effective management 7.4.3 Nonlegislative protection of mangroves 7.4.3.1 Mangrove plantation and other protection measures 7.4.3.2 Role of local community in mangrove conservation 7.4.3.3 Mangrove ecotourism 7.4.4 Conclusion References Further reading Glossary Weblink for further reading Weblink for further reading Mangrove biology Mangrove ecology Pollution in mangrove environments Phytoremediation by mangrove plants Impact of climate change and mangrove wetland vulnerability Conservation of mangroves Index Back Cover