Vierailijaluento: Biological consequences of climate change in the world’s largest mangrove forest in Bangladesh
« Takaisin28.9.2016 14:00–15:00
The Sundarbans is the world’s largest contiguous mangrove forest covers about 600,000 hectares (ha) in Bangladesh alone. This forest supports exceptional biodiversity in its terrestrial, aquatic and marine habitats; ranging from micro to macro flora and fauna makes this site globally important. It became inscribed as a UNESCO world heritage site in 1997. This unique ecoregion is under a great threat of extinction especially due to climate change.
Professor Bidhan Chandra DAS from the University of Rajshahi will give a open lecture about the Biological consequences of climate change in the region. The lecture will be held in the Arctic Centre, Thule meeting room (Pohjoisranta 4, Rovaniemi) in 28th September 2016 at 14–15.
Ecological knowledge reveals that some ecological factors have been changed in this mangrove forest. Some data especially salinity of past records as well as from several field research trips agree with these Ecological knowledge views.
Plants and animals have been decreased in the Sundarbans for the last 30 –60 years. Salinity, water level and soil degradation in the Sundarbans have been increased there. Proportions of decrease of six important trees in the Sundarbans are: Heritiera fomes (Sterculiaceae) - 35%, Ceriops decandra (Rhizophoraceae) - 17%, Excoecaria agallocha (Euphorbiaceae) - 15%, Xylocarpus mekongensis (Meliaceae) -11%, Bruguiera gymnorhiza (Rhizophoraceae) - 12% and Avicennia officinalis (Avicenniaceae) - 10%.
Among the animals, 90% fish has been decreased, followed by 4% bird, 3% mammal, 2% amphibian and 1% reptile. Salinity is ranked 1 (47%) as unique area of high ecological significance and is the main threat for the degradation of biodiversity as well as mangrove ecosystem which is due to the global climate change.
Since this forest is of global importance, and solution of problems is not at the hand of Bangladesh, e.g. freshwater supply from the Himalayas; international communities should come forward for it’s protection.
“Biological consequences of climate change in Bangladesh part of Sundarbans: The world’s largest mangrove forest”
Lecturer: Professor Dr. Bidhan Chandra DAS, Conservation Biology and Climate Change Research Centre, Department of Zoology, University of Rajshahi, Bangladesh
Time: 28.9.2016 at 14–15
Place: Thule meeting room, 2nd floor, Arctic Centre (Arktikum house, Pohjoisranta 4, Rovaniemi)
More information:
Nafisa Yeasmin
Researcher, Project Coordinator
Arctic Centre, University of Lapland
tel. 040 484 4256, nafisa.yeasmin(at)ulapland.fi
LaY/AK/NY&JW