We evaluated carbon stocks in the above-ground biomass (AGB) of three dominant mangrove species (Sonneratia apetala, Avicennia alba and Excoecaria agallocha) in the Indian Sundarbans. We examined whether these carbon stocks vary with spatial locations (western region vs. central region) and with seasons (pre-monsoon, monsoon and post-monsoon). Among the three studied species, S. apetala showed the maximum above-ground carbon storage (tha-1) followed by A. alba (tha-1) and E. agallocha (tha-1). The above-ground biomass (AGB) varied significantly with spatial locations (p&lt;0.05) but not with seasons (p&lt;0.05). The variation may be attributed to different environmental conditions to which these areas are exposed to such as higher siltation and salinity in central region compared to western region. The relatively higher salinity in central region caused subsequent lowering of biomass and stored carbon of the selected species. © 2011 Elsevier B.V.

ABHIJIT MITRA

Marine Science

K SENGUPTA

K BANERJEE

University of Calcutta (informally known as Calcutta University or CU) is a collegiate public state university located in Kolkata, West Bengal, India.&nbsp;Within India it is recognized as a &quot;Five-Star University&quot; and accredited &quot;A&quot; Grade by National Assessment and Accreditation Council.

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The University of Calcutta has secured the Fifth position among the Universities of India in the prestigious &quot;Indian University Ranking 2019&quot; list, released by the NIRF of the Ministry of Human Resource Development, Government of India.

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It was established on 24 January 1857, and was one of the first institutions in Asia to be established as a multidisciplinary and Western-style university. Its alumni and faculty include several heads of state, heads of government, social reformers, prominent artists, only academy award winner and Dirac medal winner in India, many Fellows of the Royal Society and five Nobel laureates as of 2019 which is highest in South Asia.

University Of Calcutta

Forest Ecology and Management

This book critically analyzes the water quality in the lower Gangetic delta, and examines the environmental conditions and physical processes operating in this rich ecosystem. Readers with an interest in environmental science, geography, oceanography, marine biology, environmental biology, aquatic pollution and ecology will find the research presented here most appealing. Readers will discover critical aspects of the chemistry of the estuarine water (particularly that of Hooghly and Matla estuaries) in the lower stretch of the delta region along with the causes and effects of pollution in and around this region. Particular attention is given to the bioaccumulation of conservative pollutants in edible fishes and floral communities thriving in this region. Several case studies are also incorporated to highlight the vulnerability of pollution in this region. Chapters also address the impacts of climate change (specifically acidification) on the concentration and be havior of conservative pollutants. Finally, the book highlights some mitigation measures at the technology and policy level to minimize the negative impacts posed by different groups of pollutants on the estuarine biodiversity. © Springer International Publishing AG, part of Springer Nature 2019.

Estuarine Pollution in the Lower Gangetic Delta: Threats and Management

Estuarine pollution in the lower Gangetic delta: Threats and management

Spatial distribution and interrelationship among organic nutrients – silica and carbon – and various lithogenic elements were investigated in the surficial sediments of Matla estuary and Core Zone of Indian Sundarbans Reserve Forest using spatial analysis and multivariate statistics. Biogenic silica (BSi), an important parameter for coastal biogeochemisry, was measured using Si-time alkaline leaching method. BSi concentration ranged from 0.01% to 0.85% with higher concentrations in upstream region of Matla estuary and attenuated values towards the bay, seemingly due to changes in hydrodynamics and land use conditions. Spatial distribution of BSi did not exhibit significant correlation with sediment parameters of organic carbon (OC), elemental composition and clay content. However, it showed significant contrasting trends with total phosphorus (TP) and total silica of human influenced Matla estuary sediments as well as the dissolved silica (DSi) of its surface waters. Anthropogenic influence on sediment geochemistry is discernable with the presence of higher concentrations of organic and inorganic elements in Matla estuary than in Core Zone sediments. Spatial variation trends are often challenging to interpret due to multiple sources of input, varying energy and salinity conditions and constant physical, chemical and biological alterations occurring in the environment. Nonetheless, it is certain that anthropogenic activities have a substantial influence on biogeochemical processes of Sundarbans mangrove-estuarine complex and potentially the coastal ocean. © 2016 Elsevier Ltd

Marine Pollution Bulletin

Elemental composition, distribution and control of biogenic silica in the anthropogenically disturbed and pristine zone inter-tidal sediments of Indian Sundarbans mangrove-estuarine complex

There are no differences of opinion in saying that the climate of the planet Earth is changing with the passage of time. Although several factors beyond our control (like variations in the Earth's orbital characteristics, volcanic eruptions, variations in solar energy output and plate tectonics) do play a major role in this change, the infl uence of human intervention cannot be ignored. The rapid industrialization and urbanization in the recent era has hiked up the concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, and as the successive events, the temperature has increased, the seawater has expanded, the agricultural productivity has gone down, the existing socio-economic profi le has altered, the vector-borne diseases have proliferated and the biodiversity of the world oceans and estuaries has changed. Question arises whether these chain reactions are irreversible in nature. Question also arises regarding the rate of alteration (acceleration or retardation) of environment around us, and we are uncertain about these answers. All the nations of the world have converged on a common platform to fi ght this invisible demon with irregular and uncertain behaviour. There is no point other than adaptation to minimize the impact of climate change. Adaptation here refers to the ability to respond and adjust to actual or potential impacts of changing conditions of the climate in ways that moderate harm or takes advantage of any positive opportunities that the climate may afford. It is therefore a mode of coping with the surrounding environment through development and alteration/modifi cation of some attitude, habit, habitat, etc. Even changes in the policy level or planning processes or decision-making processes are also the part of adaptation. This manuscript critically focuses on all the events of climate change starting from causes to effects on the matrix of mangrove ecosystem. Sundarbans being the biggest mangrove chunk of the globe has been used as the test bed to distinguish between human factors (effects of dam construction, barrage discharge, industries, etc.) and natural causes of environmental change, which often creates a noise while explaining the issue of climate change. The emphasis has been given on Indian Sundarbans because the subcontinent has been identifi ed as one among 27 countries which are most vulnerable to the impact of global-warming-related accelerated sea-level rise (UNEP 1989). Available literatures state that the sea level is rising at the rate of 3.14 mm/ year in Indian Sundarbans, which is greater than the average sea-level rise in rest part of the globe. The Indian Sundarbans sustains 34 true mangrove species, which not only act as the line of defence against sea-level rise, cyclones and tidal surges, but their role in carbon sequestration and minimization of carbon dioxide at the regional level has been critically analyzed in the present book. Apart from ecological approach in reducing carbon dioxide level of the atmosphere, the existing policies and laws have also been discussed in the matrix of Indian subcontinent. In India, there are no laws, policies, insurance or funds to protect, compensate and rehabilitate the vulnerable communities related to climate change or weather extremes. This creates a situation where the properties and life along the coastline are exposed to extreme risks. Building of cyclone shelters and tidal surge warning system along with a well-orchestrated disaster management plan can ameliorate the adversity of impact to a certain extent. The authors of the present book feel the necessity of introducing some kind of climate insurance policies (like health insurance and car insurance) to cover the risk of climate-change-related disasters. The book has its own individuality not because of the lucidness of language and presentation of relevant case studies but for bringing in frontline the long-term data (30 years) of this biggest mangrove chunk, which have just started to see the light of publication. Criticism and debates are the hallmarks of any climate-change-related books, as a 'noisy zone', always lies in such subjects, where it is diffi cult to segregate the effects of climate change from man-made intervention. In this connection, the Farakka dam issue has been discussed very clearly with its major role in regulating the salinity at the confl uence of the Hooghly-Bhagirathi system and Bay of Bengal. Finally the untapped marine and estuarine living resources (like seaweeds and edible oyster) have also been highlighted with the aim to develop alternative livelihood schemes as steps towards adapting to a new situation of rising salinity. © Springer India 2013. All rights are reserved.

Sensitivity of Mangrove Ecosystem to Changing Climate

Sensitivity of mangrove ecosystem to changing climate

Soils from intertidal mudflats of mangrove dominated Indian Sundarbans were analyzed for soil organic carbon, bulk density and organic carbon density during 2009 in two different sectors: western and eastern. Samplings were carried out at 12 stations in four different depths (0.01-0.10, 0.10-0.20, 0.20-0.30 and 0.30-0.40 m) through three seasons (pre-monsoon, monsoon and post-monsoon). High organic carbon density is observed in the stations of western Indian Sundarbans, which is relatively close to the highly urbanized city of Kolkata, Howrah and the newly emerging Haldia port-cum-industrial complex. The mangrove forest in the eastern Indian Sundarbans exhibits comparatively lower organic carbon density. Anthropogenic activities are almost negligible in this sector because of its location almost within the protected forest area. The bulk density of the mangrove soil increased with depth, while organic carbon and carbon density decreased with depth almost in all the stations. We observed significant spatial variations in soil organic carbon and organic carbon density in the study area.

National Academy Science Letters

Spatial Variation in Organic Carbon Density of Mangrove Soil in Indian Sundarbans

Soils from intertidal mudflats of mangrove dominated Indian Sundarbans were analyzed for soil organic carbon, bulk density and organic carbon density during 2009 in two different sectors: western and eastern. Samplings were carried out at 12 stations in four different depths (0.01-0.10, 0.10-0.20, 0.20-0.30 and 0.30-0.40 m) through three seasons (pre-monsoon, monsoon and postmonsoon). High organic carbon density is observed in the stations of western Indian Sundarbans, which is relatively close to the highly urbanized city of Kolkata, Howrah and the newly emerging Haldia port-cum-industrial complex. The mangrove forest in the eastern Indian Sundarbans exhibits comparatively lower organic carbon density. Anthropogenic activities are almost negligible in this sector because of its location almost within the protected forest area. The bulk density of the mangrove soil increased with depth, while organic carbon and carbon density decreased with depth almost in all the stations. We observed significant spatial variations in soil organic carbon and organic carbon density in the study area. © The National Academy of Sciences, India 2012.

Journal	Data powered by TypesetForest Ecology and Management
Publisher	Data powered by TypesetELSEVIER SCIENCE BV
ISSN	0378-1127
Open Access	No