Ecological Significance and Conservation Needs of Fiddler Crabs in the Sundarbans Mangrove Ecosystem | Chapter 05 | Research Perspective on Biological Science Vol. 9

 

The Sundarbans, renowned as the world's largest mangrove forest, serves as a haven for a diverse array of species. This unique ecosystem is not only a UNESCO World Heritage site but also a critical natural habitat supporting an array of life forms, many of which are found nowhere else. Among these inhabitants are the often-overlooked fiddler crabs (Uca sp.), small crustaceans that play a pivotal role in maintaining the delicate balance of the Sundarbans ecosystem. This short communication aims to shed light on the ecological significance of these seemingly insignificant creatures, emphasising their crucial contributions to nutrient cycling and the overall health of the mangrove vegetation. Fiddler crabs are integral to the nutrient cycling processes within the Sundarbans. Their burrowing activities enhance soil aeration and facilitate the breakdown of organic matter, enriching the soil with essential nutrients. These nutrients, in turn, support the growth and development of the mangrove trees, which form the backbone of this unique ecosystem. Without their presence, the entire mangrove ecosystem could face disruptions that would impact a wide range of other species, including commercially important fish and crustaceans. Despite their vital role, fiddler crabs face a multitude of threats, including human exploitation, environmental pollution, and the impacts of climate change. The Sundarbans, while renowned for its Bengal tiger population, often overlooks the conservation needs of smaller, less charismatic species like the fiddler crab. Current conservation efforts primarily focus on protecting the tiger, leaving these crucial ecosystem engineers vulnerable. A more holistic conservation approach is urgently needed that must encompass the protection of all species, regardless of their perceived importance. Legal frameworks should be strengthened to safeguard fiddler crab populations, and community engagement programs should be implemented to raise awareness about their ecological significance. Furthermore, increased scientific research is crucial to better understand the ecological role of fiddler crabs and develop effective conservation strategies. Fiddler crabs play a crucial ecological role in the Sundarbans ecosystem, highlighting their importance in maintaining environmental balance. Therefore, it is imperative to expand the conservation lens to include the less-publicised, yet equally crucial, inhabitants, like the fiddler crab. By incorporating the conservation needs of these lesser-known species into broader conservation efforts, we can strive towards a more sustainable future for this unique and invaluable natural treasure.

 

Author(s)details:-

 

Ghosh S
Department of Biotechnology, Brainware University, West Bengal, India.

 

Please see the book here:- https://doi.org/10.9734/bpi/rpbs/v9/6592

Climate Change Induced Shifting Pattern of Livelihood in the Indian Sundarbans, West Bengal, India:- An Appraisal | Chapter 9 | Surviving Sundarbans: Tragedy and Hope, Edition 1

The Sundarbans is the largest contiguous mangrove ecosystem bestowed with rich biodiversity. It is included under the Ramsar Site Convention. Sundarbans has been named because of the mangrove species Sundari plant has been abundantly found in this part of the delta. The previous study has highlighted that the Ganges River is shifting towards the east resulting in the influx of freshwater flow being reduced. There is an urgency to reach the adaptation gap which is a pressing issue today. Now, it is facing climate change issues which is inducing an economic challenge by bringing a change in livelihood for the residents of the Sundarban along with social impact like deprivation of women special mention for tribal folks. The residents have been surveyed to get a real picture of the problems of the study area. They have opined that the major causes have been sea-level rise, climate change and frequency of cyclones which are leading to alteration of the livelihood. The traditional agrarian system is shifting towards aquaculture due to the intrusion of salt water into the agricultural fields. More research is needed to understand the whole problem. At the earliest, the plantation of mangroves is the best way for the restoration of this ecosystem. It is going to act as the green shield for the river banks and save its further degradation thus restoring the ecosystem for future generations.

 

Author (s) Details

 

Debaroti Das
P.N. Das College, Palta, India.

 

Umashankar Mandal
Jangipur High School, Murshidabad, India.

 

Please see the book here:- https://doi.org/10.9734/bpi/mono/978-93-48859-73-0/CH9

Perception of Climate Change, Extreme Climatic Events and Impact on the Livelihood of Farmers of Sundarbans of West Bengal, India | Chapter 3 | Surviving Sundarbans: Tragedy and Hope, Edition 1

Climate change is taking place in a faster way during last two decades. Sundarbans deltaic region is worst affected by the issues related to climate change and extreme climatic events. Erratic weather behaviour, rising temperature of the earth's surface, frequent occurrence of extreme climatic events, loss and depletion of natural resources like, land, water, flora and fauna cumulatively posing serious threat to the overall livelihood of the people of this area. Agriculture being the primary occupation of the people of the Sundarbans deltaic region is worst affected resulting in food scarcity, poverty and instability in the production system. There are many efforts taken by government and non-government organisations to mitigate the threat of climatic hazards to Sundarbans and its people but that is not sufficient. There is a need for a holistic approach encompassing the perception, awareness and knowledge of local people regarding climate change and extreme climatic events towards development, testing, standardisation and promotion of location and resource-specific appropriate agro-technologies. In this article, an effort has been made to elucidate the perception of the farming community of two blocks (Mathurapur II and Kultali) of South 24 Pargana district of West Bengal regarding climate change, extreme climatic events and the impact of those on their occupation and livelihood. Districts and blocks were selected purposively based on the IMD data for the period of 2000-2020 regarding the occurrence of maximum numbers of extreme climatic events that have taken place. A semi-structured interview schedule was employed among selected 150 respondents for capturing field data and was analysed with suitable statistical tools. Different constructs and statements were selected on the basis of reviews of previous literature and Judges' Rating. The results show that there is a significant differential perception of respondents regarding climate change, extreme climatic events and the impact thereof on their livelihood. 

 

Author (s) Details

 

Subhajit Mukherjee
Department of Agricultural Extension, Palli Siksha Bhavana (Institute of Agriculture), Visva-Bharati, India.

 

Siddhartha D. Mukhopadhyay
Department of Agricultural Extension, Palli Siksha Bhavana (Institute of Agriculture), Visva-Bharati, India.

 

Sk Mosaraf Hossain
Department of Agricultural Extension, Palli Siksha Bhavana (Institute of Agriculture), Visva-Bharati, India.

 

Please see the book here:- https://doi.org/10.9734/bpi/mono/978-93-48859-73-0/CH3