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Frontiers of Earth Science

ISSN 2095-0195

ISSN 2095-0209(Online)

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Front Earth Sci Chin    0, Vol. Issue () : 438-448    https://doi.org/10.1007/s11707-010-0127-0
RESEARCH ARTICLE
Threatened wetlands and ecologically sensitive ecosystems management in Bangladesh
Shafi Noor ISLAM()
Department of Ecosystems and Environmental Informatics, Brandenburg University of Technology at Cottbus, Cottbus 101344, Germany
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Abstract

Wetlands constitute a part of human heritage. It has played a significant role in the development of human culture and society. More over it contains very rich components of biodiversity of local, national, and regional significance. They also provide habitat for a variety of resident and migratory waterfowl, a significant number of endangered species, and a large number of commercially important species. Mangrove wetlands are unique environments of floral-faunal assemblages, providing a complex detritus-based food-web for a number of marine and brackish water organisms. Wetlands in Bangladesh have great importance for the country’s economic, industrial, ecological, socioeconomic, and cultural aspects. There are five types of wetlands available in Bangladesh, such as saltwater wetlands, freshwater wetlands, palustrine wetlands, lacustrine wetlands, and manmade wetlands. There are 43 designated wetlands, and some are under threat from indiscriminate utilization, encroachments and reclamation, urbanization and drawbacks from agricultural development, and flood control. Almost 50% of the country’s people are directly dependent on wetlands resources. The vast majority of the poor people in the wetlands areas are dependent on wetlands resources for their nourishment. Wetlands have potential and have been recognized as a driving force for biodiversity conservation and rural socioeconomic improvement. Smart-use of wetlands can solve the ecosystems problems in the floodplain areas. A comprehensive analysis of the various issues leading to wetlands degradation is made in this study. The country needs an adequate interdisciplinary policy and political will to implement it for sustainable management and protection of wetlands and ecologically sensitive ecosystems in Bangladesh. Therefore, a reliable data bank is provided in this study to enhance the conservation measures initiated by the Government.
Keywords Bangladesh      wetlands      sensitive ecosystem      policy      conservation      resource management     
Corresponding Author(s): ISLAM Shafi Noor,Email:Shafinoor@yahoo.com   
Issue Date: 05 December 2010
 Cite this article:   
Shafi Noor ISLAM. Threatened wetlands and ecologically sensitive ecosystems management in Bangladesh[J]. Front Earth Sci Chin, 0, (): 438-448.
 URL:  
https://academic.hep.com.cn/fesci/EN/10.1007/s11707-010-0127-0
https://academic.hep.com.cn/fesci/EN/Y0/V/I/438
Fig.1  Designated wetlands areas and its location in Bangladesh
Fig.2  Wetlands and ecologically sensitive sites in Bangladesh
Wetland typesArea coverage/km2Percentage of area/%
Rivers, canals and estuaries10300.0013.77
Natural depressions1141.691.52
Ponds1619.432.16
Ox-bow lakes544.880.73
Reservoirs688.000.92
Seasonal flood lands28000.0037.42
Brackish water farms873.001.17
Mangrove wetlands6100.008.15
Beel and haor5000.006.68
Peat land155.000.21
Swamp forest20400.0027.27
Total74 822.00100.00
Tab.1  Wetlands of Bangladesh ()
Fig.3  Freshwater and saline wetlands. (a) Freshwater wetlands in Karcher haor; (b) saline mangrove wetlands in Sundarbans
Wetlands valueWetlands ecosystem service
EnvironmentalHydrological cycle maintenance, water storage and discharge, flood control and regulation, transport of sediments, reduce salinity intrusion, purification of water, reduce of erosion, soil formation, food chain and habitat maintaining, biodiversity protection, protect ecosystems, pollution control, maintenance of landscapes and balance of ecology, etc.
Economic
Direct valuesAgricultural production, forestry, hunting, fishing, production of wild food, grazing field for livestock, supply of fuel, fodder, honey, fruits and wood (mangrove), supply of raw materials, and field for primary economic activities.
Indirect valuesBenefits from improvement of water quality, flood prevention, pollution control, provision for medicinal plants, land for industrial location, primary economic activities, etc.
Option valuesBenefits from ensuring the option for a future use
Existence valuesBenefits from conserving or willingness to forgo a part of ones income in order to conserve a resource especially natural amenities or species.
Bequest valuesBenefits from ensuring that certain goods will be preserved for future generations.
SocialNavigation and transportation, provision of settlement places for the indigenous community, extension of urbanization, inspiration place for education and research, employment opportunity for the poor, empowerment of the destitute groups.
CulturalTourism and recreation, tangible and intangible cultural heritage, cultural values, natural heritage, aesthetic values, religion values, spiritual values, ethical values, scenic values sense of place, cultural landscapes, etc.
Tab.2  Wetlands value and wetland ecosystem services
Fig.4  Relationship between wetlands and aquatic terrestrial ecosystems ()
Fig.5  Wetland ecosystems functions and socioeconomic benefits ()
Fig.6  Destruction of the Chokoria Sundarbans mangrove wetlands in Cox’s Bazar
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