Diversity and Ecology of Mangroves in the Sundarban Biosphere Reserve

Sundarban Biosphere Reserve, West Bengal, India is basically a deltaic complex situated within the Indian portion of the recent delta of Ganga - Brahmaputra river system of Bay of Bengal; south of Dampire – Hodge’s line between latitudinal and longitudinal extension - 21º31′ to 21º53′ N and 88º37′ to 89º09′ E respectively. It covers over 9630 sq. km, bearing a luxuriant biodiversity, providing nutrients to nearby marine ecosystems. This deltaic region fosters the largest single chunk of elegant mangrove vegetation, bearing significant environmental and economical implications for the population. Due to its potential value to mankind and ecological significance, it has been in the limelight of global community concern and has been declared as a ‘world heritage site’ by UNESCO. This book is intended to cover the present status of a true mangrove, mangrove associated and back mangrove species, their diversity, ecological and economic potentials and halophytic adaptive features. Sea level rise and global climatic changes is a great concern for the survivorship of this valuable ecosystem, so, an attempt has been made in this book to raise the current stresses on the plants.