APN
Published Date: Mar 2, 2012
Impact of Climate Change on Mangrove Ecosystems in South Asia
http://www.apn-gcr.org/uploads/bulletin/ScienceBulletin_Issue2_March2012_web.pdf
Significant portions of the population along the coasts of South Asia are dependent on different coastal ecosystems. Mangrove forests are an important ecosys¬tem for sustaining biodiversity and livelihoods of its dependent communities. Total mangrove cover in the region has been estimated to be about 10,000 km2. A number of commercial and non-commercial activities (like cattle grazing, firewood, timber, agriculture, small industries, etc.), are carried out by local communities. Climate change drivers also threat and affect mangrove ecosystems including changes in sea level, hydrology (tidal and fresh water flow within mangroves), high water events, storms, precipitation, temperature, atmospheric CO2 concentration, ocean circulation patterns, etc. Therefore, a balance is required between resources and utilization under differing climate change scenarios for sustainable development of mangroves and their depen¬dent communities.
The present project seeks to provide science-based information about the impacts of climate change on mangrove ecosystems in South Asia. The impacts of sea level rise, decrease in fresh water flows in the region and other climatic parameters such as temperature fluctuations, precipitation, etc., will be carried out to develop future scenarios of mangrove forests in South Asia. Moreover, the overall vulnerability of mangrove ecosystems will be evaluated by hydrological, climatic, institutional and socio-economic assessments using hydrodynamic modelling, regional climate models, GIS and RS techniques, landscape vegetation models and applying statistical methods.
The present project also intends to raise awareness among local and national-level policy- and decision-makers about the potential impacts of climate change on mangrove ecosystems. This information will enable us to devise policy and intervention plans for mangrove sustainability, development, and conservation by select¬ing appropriate sites in the region to develop a conceptual institutional framework describing drivers, pressures, responses, trends and impacts on mangrove ecosystems. This will be achieved by involving researchers from participating countries of Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, USA and Sri Lanka who will conduct research on these issues. The outputs are also expected to be helpful for regional and international organizations working in environmental rehabilitation and improvement.
PROJECT TITLE
Impact of Climate Change on Mangrove Ecosystems in South Asia
COUNTRIES INVOLVED
Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, USA
PROJECT DURATION
2 years
APN FUNDING
US$ 85,000
PROJECT LEADER
Mr. Kashif Majeed Salik Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI) 8 Main Embassy Road G-6/3 Islamabad 44000, Pakistan
Tel: +92 51 227 0674
Email: kashif.salik@gmail.com