A New Study Highlights how Sundarbans are resilient in face of natural, manmade stress

A New Study Highlights the Resilience of the Sundarbans in the Face of Natural and Manmade Stresses

A study conducted by IIT Bombay (and others) emphasizes how the Sundarbans have shown resilience to extreme weather events and pollution, although they have limits to their ability to self-repair.

Key Findings on the Mangroves of Sundarbans:

• Resilience to Extreme Weather: Mangroves have demonstrated the ability to recover from extreme weather events, such as cyclones and thunderstorms, within 1-2 weeks.
• Nutrient Stability: Despite a decline in nutrient levels due to anthropogenic water pollution, mangroves have maintained stable productivity, showing their capacity to function under stress.
• Increased Link Strength and Memory: Mangroves stabilize their productivity by strengthening their connections with hydrometeorological factors (such as precipitation, temperature, and wind speed). In plants, "memory" refers to their ability to "remember" responses to past stressful events, like cyclones, and use this knowledge to adapt to future stress.

About Mangroves:
Definition: Mangroves are woody plants that grow in areas between land and sea, often flooded by tides.

Species Characteristics:

• Mangroves are the only type of trees that can thrive in salty coastal waters.
• With their high carbon storage capacities, they play a vital role in global carbon sequestration and contribute significantly to carbon budgets.
• They are often referred to as "Blue Forests" or "Wetland Ecosystem Engineers."

Mangroves in India (Beyond the Sundarbans):
Other notable mangrove regions in India include Bhitarkanika (Odisha), Pichavaram Forest (Tamil Nadu), Chorao Island (Goa), Gulf of Kutch (Gujarat), Vembanad Kol (Kerala), Andaman and Nicobar Islands, and more.

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