Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
Fig. 8.8
Map of Indian Sundarbans showing the sampling stations
most biologically productive, taxonomically
diverse and aesthetically celebrated gene pools of
the country sustaining 34 species of true man-
groves along with a variety of associate species
(Mitra et al.
1992
; Mitra and Pal
2002
). This
deltaic lobe is the cradle of several species of
assessed for several reasons. In general, very
little information is available on marine and
estuarine microorganisms, which are the key
players in releasing carbon dioxide through the
process of decomposition. A very important
aspect of biodiversity is species-level genetic
diversity, which has not received much attention.
Both conservation and management of this
unique ecosystem therefore demand a holistic
approach and are very much dependent on the
sciences and skills of geology, pedology, clima-
tology, hydrology, botany, ecology, silviculture,
forest technology and economics.
The landscape of Indian Sundarbans has
changed remarkably due to large-scale human
intervention since the beginning of the last cen-
tury. As a result of overexploitation, demo-
graphic pressure, loss of habitat and change of
sh
and reservoir of various non-living resources of
marine origin, which encompasses a wide range
of riverine, estuarine, coastal and marine habitats.
On the one hand, it exhibits enormous diversity
based on its genesis, geographical location,
hydrological regimes and substrate factors, and
on the other hand, it also exhibits rare endemic
genetic material, which demands preservation
and proper sustainable utilization for the bene
n
sh, nursery of different variety of shell
t
of mankind. The biodiversity of this unique
ecosystem has not yet been comprehensively
