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Son Beel wetland is facing ecosystem marginalization where ecosystem services aren’t being priced & reflected in decision making which proves complete market failure. Agricultural produce from converted lake does not reflect values lost due to flood protection, fisheries, biodiversity etc. People who deteriorate are not the same whose livelihoods a...
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Mangrove ecosystem is unique in nature that thrives in the intertidal zones of tropical and subtropical
regions with regular tidal inundation. Mangrove species are morphologically and physiologically
adapted to varying salinity condition. In this context Indian Sundarbans is an interesting test bed where
salinity profiles in different segments vary differently. In this article, the spatio-temporal change in
salinity during 1984 till 2016 was studied. Study shows an interannual increase in salinity in the central
sector associated with climate change induced gradual sea-level rise, whereas interannual decreasing
trend was seen in the western sector due to enhanced fresh water supply from glacier melt associated
with global climate change.
Keywords: Salinity, Mangrove Ecosystem, Indian Sundarbans, Two-component mixing model, Cyclone Aila, Rehabilitation
This volume of scientific papers is the result of an international webinar, Ecosystem Services and United
Nations Sustainable Development Goals, in celebration of World Environment Day, held on 5 June 2020.
The first set of sustainable development goals for the United Nations were brought forth in 1987 by the
World Commission on Environment and Development (informally known as the Brundtland Commission
in honor of commission's chairperson Gro Harlem Brundtland, the former Prime Minister of Norway) in
their report Our Common Future, published by Oxford University Press. The most recent iteration of the
United Nations sustainable development goals was developed as output from the 2015 UN Sustainable
Development Summit and set forth 17 goals in their report, Transforming Our World: The 2030 Agenda
for Sustainable Development. These updated goals for 2030 include a vision for People, Planet,
Prosperity, Peace and Partnership that are elements within the traditional view of sustainable development
as a balance of environmental, economic, and societal elements developed by the Brundtland
Commission.
Our webinar, Ecosystem Services and United Nations Sustainable Development Goal, was in part brought
together as a response to the worldwide pandemic of COVID-19 that has shut down most international
travel and has put strain particularly on various measures of economic, environmental and social
sustainability. Declining job opportunities in many regions of the world does bode well for long-term
economic sustainability and economic instability. Greater social unrest under the economic and social
pressures have led to some proposals to scrap long-held environmental protection policies as a matter of
expediency in favor of short-term economic or political gains during this time of crisis. The focus of this
webinar is primarily on why the maintenance of a healthy planet, and promotion of healthy ecosystems is
crucial for maintaining long term economic prosperity and social stability. Our webinar focus is
consistent with UN Goal 14 to 'conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for
sustainable development,' and with UN Goal 15 to 'protect, restore and promote sustainable use of
terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land
degradation and biodiversity loss.' Ecosystem services have a key role in maintaining both economic
sustainability and social sustainability, the very issues brought into sharp focus by the COVID-19
pandemic.
Within this volume are papers primarily focusing on management of South and Southeast Asia analyzing
the ecosystems services of various marine, estuarine, freshwater and terrestrial habitat throughout the
region and how to educate and provide advice to stakeholders and policy makers responsible for the
management of public waters and lands, critical natural resources. Papers range from scientific analysis
of ecosystem services provided by mangroves and other habitat areas, maintaining sustainable levels of
fisheries and aquaculture, methods for monitoring various habits as a tool for measuring the effects of
various policy interventions, and use of extension education and other educational programming to aid in
better policy formation and implementation, in support of overall long-term economic, environmental and
social sustainability.
Mangrove ecosystem is unique in nature that thrives in the intertidal zones of tropical and subtropical
regions with regular tidal inundation. Mangrove species are morphologically and physiologically
adapted to varying salinity condition. In this context Indian Sundarbans is an interesting test bed where
salinity profiles in different segments vary differently. In this article, the spatio-temporal change in
salinity during 1984 till 2016 was studied. Study shows an interannual increase in salinity in the central
sector associated with climate change induced gradual sea-level rise, whereas interannual decreasing
trend was seen in the western sector due to enhanced fresh water supply from glacier melt associated
with global climate change.
Mangrove ecosystem is unique in nature that thrives in the intertidal zones of tropical and subtropical
regions with regular tidal inundation. Mangrove species are morphologically and physiologically
adapted to varying salinity condition. In this context Indian Sundarbans is an interesting test bed where
salinity profiles in different segments vary differently. In this article, the spatio-temporal change in
salinity during 1984 till 2016 was studied. Study shows an interannual increase in salinity in the central
sector associated with climate change induced gradual sea-level rise, whereas interannual decreasing
trend was seen in the western sector due to enhanced fresh water supply from glacier melt associated
with global climate change.
Radionuclides have now become part and parcel of our lives, and there does not seem any escape from them. Radionuclides have shown immense application potential in various fields of science and medicine, and thus, their management acquires utmost priority. Radioisotopes also command natural existence in almost all the excavated mineral ores and fossil fuels besides fertilizer and industrial waste that is generated following burning of fossil fuels. Widespread acceptability of nuclear power plants as the most potent, viable, and practical alternative to produce power to meet huge electricity demand of the domestic and industrial sectors further reveals how the nuclear technology has entered our lives. Add to it the demolishing power of the nuclear technology which is also muscled several times in the past by the developing and developed countries alike. Enrichment of water bodies with radioactive uranium of geological origin is also a concern. Add to it the challenge of climate change that we greatly impede or hasten the geological transition of radionuclides from the nonmobile or immobilized moieties into the mobile forms to contaminate soil and water bodies across a larger region, thus also risking the contamination of food chain. This chapter collates information available on changes in soil and plant attributes that may take place under the climate change scenario to alter the transfer of radioactivity in the environment particularly the soil to plant continuum. The triggers, challenges, and likely adaptation opportunities are discussed.
Wetlands are the ecotone with rich ground for the aquatic and terrestrial flora and fauna. Wetlands are considered to be a natural ecosystem solution to extreme climate change. Climate resilience reflects as one of the prominent regulating services of wetlands. These are the unique ecosystems providing the unique services to the mankind. Water and its quality are the main factors for regulating the environment of wetlands. Unfortunately, wetlands like any other ecosystems are facing the threat from the increasing population and pollution. Over one such factor responsible for the deterioration is the impact of climate change. The changing climate due to the rise in the greenhouse gases particularly carbon dioxide has also impacted the functioning of the wetlands. Coastal wetlands likewise mangroves are the meeting points of fresh and marine aquatic environment. We know the water bodies around the globe are the worst-hit areas due to climate change and wetlands are no exception to this. On the other hand, the droughts affect the water level of these wetlands leading to their shrinkage and in turn the biodiversity of wetland ecosystem are the worst hit. The wetland ecosystem is significant for various functions such as food storage, water resource, pollution abatement, and the aquatic life, etc. It provides habitat for different species of flora and fauna along with various ecosystem services like environmental protection, pollution mitigation, and protection from cyclones, floods as well as local community livelihood. As the condition of wetland ecosystem of any particular region can give a glimpse of its conservation and management trend. Thus, the significance of the wetlands has been explained through one of the case studies from northeastern part of India. This case study highlights the understanding of climate change aspects related to the lake “Son Beel, wetland, the most significant wetland of Assam in particular and North East India in general with a great potential as Ramsar site designation for its great resource value and by ecosystem services. Son Beel offers a diversity of ecosystem services, which can be directly interlinked with the livelihood. Son Beel wetland is an essential natural infrastructure of disaster risk reduction offering flood mitigation and ensuring water security by recharging under-ground water Communities” access benefits in various ways viz. water, erosion check system, potable water, waste management, climate change policy, and Disaster Risk Reduction. Local inhabitants and communities have deep sacred beliefs in Son Beel because it protects them from the terrible risk of frequent floods and drought every year. People access nonmaterial benefits by spiritual, cognitive developmental, reflectional, recreational, and esthetic values. There is a need to ensure that wetland conservation, judicious use, and restoration are an integral part of sustainable development goals (SDGs) planning and implementation. Integrating wetlands services and benefits in Nationally Determined Contributions for the Paris Agreement on Climate change is critical for achieving SDGs. Rise in population, growing unplanned settlements, low rainfall; unsustainable agricultural practices are the primary cause of this wetland decline. This chapter highlights the significance of wetlands, factors responsible for their degradation with major focus on the climate change as one significant factor, and recommendations.
Dr. Abhijit Mitra, Associate Professor and former Head, Dept. of Marine Science, University of Calcutta
(India) has been active in the sphere of Oceanography since 1985. He obtained his Ph.D. as NET qualified
scholar in 1994 after securing Gold Medal in M.Sc. (Marine Science) from University of Calcutta. He has
to his credit about 553 scientific publications in various National and International journals, and 42 books
of postgraduate standards. Dr. Mitra has successfully completed about 19 projects on biodiversity loss in
fishery sector, coastal pollution, alternative livelihood, climate change and carbon sequestration. Dr. Mitra
also visited as faculty member and invited speakers in several foreign Universities of Singapore, Kenya,
Oman and USA. In 2008, Dr. Mitra was invited as visiting fellow at University of Massachusetts at
Dartmouth, USA to deliver a series of lecture on Climate Change. Dr. Mitra also successfully guided 38
Ph.D. students. Presently his domain of expertise includes environmental science, mangrove ecology,
sustainable aquaculture, alternative livelihood, climate change, carbon sequestration and policy to counter
climate change.
Mr. Monruskin M. Calma, was born at Cabaruyan Island, otherwise known as “The Mother of the 100
Islands” in the Province of Pangasinan, Philippines. As a child and throughout his young adult life, Calma
spent most of his summers and holiday vacations at Panacalan, the family Island at Cabaruyan Island,
exploring the 100 Islands, tidal flats and marine life. This laid the foundation for Calma’s interest in
Fisheries, Conservation and Education. Calma has a background in Chemistry from Saint Louis
University and a Degree in Fishery Technology from the University of Pangasinan. He later became the
Curator of the Marine Museum there and a Faculty at the High School Department.
Calma immigrated to the United Sates in 1981. In 1989, he Graduated Cum Laude in Education from
Bridgewater State College, the biggest State School in Massachusetts. Calma worked for the
Commonwealth of Massachusetts for 32 years as a Behavior Specialist, Psychologist I, and Service
Coordinator and received numerous awards including the prestigious “Performance Recognition Award”
in 2015 for outstanding performance, signed by Gov. Charles Baker. He is the Founder and the President
of Calma Expeditions, Inc. a company registered with the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, an adventure
travel company with emphasis in Conservation, Education, and international linkage. He also co-founded
and is the President of Music and Arts Innovations Group Inc., (MAI) a non-profit organization based in
Brockton, Massachusetts.
Dr. Shambhu Prasad Chakrabarty, is currently the Head and Research Fellow of the Centre for
Regulatory Studies Governance and Public Policy (CRSGPP), the West Bengal National University of
Juridical Sciences (WBNUJS), Kolkata, India. He is also the visiting faculty at KIIT and WBNUJS. He is
the Chief Editor of NUJS Journal of Regulatory Studies. His area of expertise is Tribal and Indigenous
Laws and has authored ‘Tribal Rights in India’ from Partridge Singapore (2018). He also authored more
than 30 articles and book chapters in Scopus indexed and Care listed Journals and presented research
papers in more than 40 national and international conferences. He has been invited as a resource person in
more than 20 national and international events and has been a WIPO Fellow in 2019. He was awarded
with Gold Medal for winning Youth Parliament Competition by the Government of West Bengal, India.
He topped his school at plus two level and college in his LLB Degree and topped the University of
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Calcutta in his fourth year. He was conferred Ph.D. Degree in Law from North Bengal University in 2017.
With more than 14 years of teaching experience Dr Chakrabarty is also a member of Law and Society
Association, USA and the Commonwealth Lawyers Association, London.
Dr. Sufia Zaman, presently serving as Head, Department of Oceanography in Techno India University,
West Bengal started her career in the field of Marine Science since 2001. She worked in the rigorous
region of Indian Sundarbans and has wide range of experience in exploring the floral and faunal diversity
of Sundarbans. She has published 5 books on carbon sequestration, 244 scientific papers and contributed
chapters in several books on biodiversity, environmental science, aquaculture and livelihood
development.
Dr. Prosenjit Pramanick, is presently holding the position of Post Doctoral Research fellow, Department
of Oceanography, Techno India University, West Bengal. He had passed M.Sc. in Biochemistry (in 2012)
from Vidyasagar University, West Bengal and then obtained his Ph.D. degree in 2017 from Techno India
University, West Bengal. He has to his credit about 97 scientific publications, 12 book chapters and 6
publications in conference proceedings in the sphere of Food technology, Aquaculture, Agribiotechnology,
Alternative livelihood, Environmental Science.
Nature is sometimes taken for granted and undervalued. But folks cannot flourish without the advantages and services our natural atmosphere provides. Nature could be a advanced, interconnected system. A healthy, properly functioning natural atmosphere is that the foundation of sustained economic process, thriving communities and private well-being
The Himalayan region, blessed with abundant natural resources in the form of land, water, forest and biodiversity, is increasingly threatened by environmental degradation. This region has a wide range of soils because of diverse parent material, processes of weathering, climate and biological activity. The formation of various types of soils and the resultant diversity indicates the different challenges as well as the untapped potential of the hill areas.
The biodiversity-rich sacred sites are of great ecological significance and also play an important role in the conservation of flora and fauna. Besides, several rare, threatened, and medicinal plant species are found only in sacred sites, which are, perhaps the last refuge for these important species.
Wetlands are the most productive ecosystems on earth’s surface. Ramsar Convention puts forward
binding regulations to protect wetlands across the globe. The real situation however, is different and
complex. These fragile ecosystems are under imminent threat from natural and anthropogenic stress
factors. Son Beel Wetlands of Assam in North East India is also no different. The health of this
wetland is steadily deteriorating as a result of a series of internal as well as external factors. Valuation
of the wetland is important to understand the need for conservation and sustainable development. The
beneficial future prospects of the wetland are further discussed in this chapter which can be facilitated
with the help of cutting-edge technologies such as nanotechnology.
