Mangrove Forests in India Exploring Ecosystem Services

This is the first comprehensive science-based primer to highlight the unique ecosystem services provided by mangrove forests, and discuss how these services preserve the livelihoods of coastal populations. The book presents three decades of real-time data on Sundarbans and Bhitarkanika mangroves in India measuring carbon and nitrogen sequestration, as well as case studies that demonstrate the utility provided by mangroves for reducing the impact of storms and erosion, providing nutrient retention for complex habitats, and housing a vast reservoir of plant, animal and microbial biodiversity. Also addressed is the function of mangroves as natural ecosystems of cultural convergence, offering the resources and products necessary for thriving coastal communities. 

Chapter1: Ecosystem services of mangroves: An overview.- Chapter2: Mangroves: A shield against storms and wave actions.- Chapter3: Mangroves: A barrier against erosion.- Chapter4: Mangroves: A nutrient retention box.- Chapter5: Mangroves: A sink of heavy metals.- Chapter6: Mangroves: A potential vegetation against sea level rise.- Chapter7: Mangroves: Unique sinks of carbon and nitrogen.- Chapter8: Mangroves: A reservoir of biodiversity.- Chapter9: Mangroves: A source of existing and alternative livelihood.- Chapter10: Mangroves: A natural ecosystem of cultural and religious convergence.

Dr. Abhijit Mitra, Associate Professor and former Head, Dept. of Marine Science, University of Calcutta (INDIA) has been active in the sphere of Oceanography since 1985. He obtained his Ph.D as NET qualified scholar in 1994 after securing Gold Medal in M.Sc (Marine Science) from University of Calcutta. Since then he joined Calcutta Port Trust and WWF (World Wide Fund), in various capacities to carry out research programmes on environmental science, biodiversity conservation, climate change and carbon sequestration. Dr. Mitra is also associated with the Techno India University, West Bengal as the Director of Research. He has to his credit about 508 scientific publications in various National and International journals, and 36 books of postgraduate standards. Dr. Mitra is presently the member of several committees like PACON International, IUCN, SIOS etc. and has successfully completed about 19 projects on biodiversity loss in fishery sector, coastal pollution, alternative livelihood, climate change and carbon sequestration. Dr. Mitra also visited as faculty member and invited speakers in several foreign Universities of Singapore, Kenya, Oman and USA. In 2008, Dr. Mitra was invited as visiting fellow at University of Massachusetts at Dartmouth, USA to deliver a series of lecture on Climate Change. Dr. Mitra also successfully guided 38 Ph.D students. Presently his domain of expertise includes environmental science, mangrove ecology, sustainable aquaculture, alternative livelihood, climate change and carbon sequestration.