This book brings together 45 years’ worth of experience-derived information about more than 7,000 micro- and macro- species, which form the unique bio-diversity of the world’s largest mangrove ecosystem, as it struggles against the natural and anthropogenic threats. Up to 1770, the estimated area of Sundarbans was around 36,000 km2, but has reduced over time to 25,000 km2, due to reclamation. This loss and the related degradation of habitats has caused historical species extinction and population decline. Whereas biodiversity conservation within and beyond the protected areas has been the watchword since the 1990s (“biodiversity, aesthetic values and integrity”), the initial two hundred years of imperial and post-colonial forest management focused primarily on revenue and production forestry, to the detriment of the ecology of the area. It will be of interest to researchers, in zoology, botany, ecology and conservation, as well as professionals, such as foresters, environmentalists, conservationists, resource managers, planners, government agencies, academic institutions, NGOs and naturalists.

The mangrove ecosystem in Indian Sundarbans has great role in the estuarine fish production and sustenance of large number of aquatic, amphibious and terrestrial forms of living organisms; this is because an ideal mangrove habitat releases more than 6,000 tons litter (on dry weight basis per hectare per annum) and this huge volume of organic matter after mineralisation or after complete decomposition releases nutrients to the estuarine, in shore and off shore water and the soil phases, as well. As such, the soil and water in the estuaries and delta regions dominated with dense mangrove vegetation are considered as one of the most nutrient rich and productive areas among the tropical forest zones. The Sundarbans, dominated with large number of mangrove associated and major and minor mangle species along with vast number of aqua-terrestrial mangrove habitat faunal assemblage are categorized as the World Heritage Site , by IUCN and UNESCO (1984). It is worth mentioning that the uniqueness of the mangrove ecosystem along with its rich productive nature is governed mostly by large number of micro- and macro-organisms but the algae play a very dominant role as primary producer group of organisms both in the aquatic as well as the terrestrial habitats. In this mangrove habitat the algal species in the form of planktonic, benthic and periphytic green vegetation were overlooked and less mentioned for its small to tiny structures and ocassionally invisible to open eyes, but their impact and importance are very interacting, important and high scientific value to investigate. These algal species in the salt dominated estuarine water of delta forest lands are somehow different in their identity from fresh water species but have played the most important role by trapping the solar energy and inorganic substances of the sea water and salty soil, consequently transforming them into important food for the consumer group of aqua - terrestrial fauna of this estuarine - delta sea land interphase zone. For all these reasons it is important to collect and identify the different algal flora of this less explored mangrove habitats of Indian Sundarbans and finding out their direct and indirect use as fish food and the enhancement of fishery activities for enrichment in knowledge of science and identifying their impact on fishery development is imperative. Taking, these propositions as priority areas exploration, identification and estimation of the nutrient value of dominant algal flora of Sundarbans have been carried out and based on the field and laboratory studies the collected information and data are highlighted in the book. Contents Chapter 1: Introduction, Chapter 2: Geology and Geography of Indian Sundarbans, Chapter 3: Factors Governing Habitats of Algae, Chapter 4: Phycological Studies: India and Bangladesh, Chapter 5: Field and Laboratory Methodologies for the Investigations of Algae, Chapter 6: Taxonomy and Morphology, Chapter 7: Ecology, Chapter 8: Applied Phycology.

This book explores the Sundarbans eco-region from a trans-boundary perspective, examining the cross-country interaction that helps planners to develop more efficient coastal zone planning for the delta. The dynamic ecosystem of the Sundarbans is considered the largest coastal delta in the world. It is located in the Bay of Bengal and spans across Bangladesh and West Bengal (India). Featuring chapters by experts from a range of fields, it addresses (i) risk factor analyses, and the geohydrological, climatic, natural, socio-economic, and anthropological factors related to the Sundarbans; (ii) strategies for sustainability in natural resource management in trans-boundary Sundarbans, cutting across political boundaries; (iii) improved agriculture, fisheries, and forestry practices and their impacts on the socio-economy for livelihood security; and (iv) a future road map for improvements. This book will be of value to those working in academia, as well as to experts and professionals in coastal zone planning and management.

Highlights the potential of biosaline agriculture in a changing environment Covers all important topics related to halophyte biology including biochemistry, genetics and genomics Provides information on potential use of halophytes Each topic is explained in detail and examined from various angles More than 100 contributions by international experts

This book answers key questions about environment, people and their shared future in deltas. It develops a systematic and holistic approach for policy-orientated analysis for the future of these regions. It does so by focusing on ecosystem services in the world’s largest, most populous and most iconic delta region, that of the Ganges-Brahmaputra delta in Bangladesh. The book covers the conceptual basis, research approaches and challenges, while also providing a methodology for integration across multiple disciplines, offering a potential prototype for assessments of deltas worldwide. Ecosystem Services for Well-Being in Deltas analyses changing ecosystem services in deltas; the health and well-being of people reliant on them; the continued central role of agriculture and fishing; and the implications of aquaculture in such environments.The analysis is brought together in an integrated and accessible way to examine the future of the Ganges Brahmaputra delta based on a near decade of research by a team of the world’s leading scientists on deltas and their human and environmental dimensions. This book is essential reading for students and academics within the fields of Environmental Geography, Sustainable Development and Environmental Policy focused on solving the world’s most critical challenges of balancing humans with their environments. This book is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.