| 1 | Quantitative studies on the benthic macrofauna of Sagar Island, intertidal zones, Sunderbans, India The species composition, density and biomass of benthic macrofauna of two mangrove forests adjacent to mudflats were studied from November 1980 to June 1981 in relation to environmental conditions at Mandirtala and Harinbari intertidal zones in the Gangetic complex of Sagar Island. The fauna was composed of different taxa such as Molluscs, Actinarians, Polychaetes, Crustaceans, and some Goboid and Anguiliformis fishes. Comparisons were made on faunal density and biomass of the macrofauna in order to establish the dominant faunal structures of those habitats Source: Nandi, S.; Choudhury, A. Mahasagar. 16(3); 1983; 409-414. 0195. | ||
| 2 | Mangrove forest of the Sundarbans: its impact on estuarine fisheries The Sundarbans tidal estuary comprise an area of 4266.6 sq km, of which the tidal and intertidal mangrove forest area is estimated of 2300 sq km. Sundarbans mangrove forest, only 30 true mangrove species are identified in addition to 117 other halophytic salt resistant mangrove associates. About 120 euryhaline fin-and-shell-fishes were also identified from about 45% of the total tidal area of the Sundarbans. Moreover, 33000 ha brackishwater in West Bengal delta are also utilized for fin-and-shell-fish culture. Requirement of stocking materials of these fisheries are met from this tidal mangrove forest area. The halophytic adaptation of the mangrove flora and its associates afford an unique opportunity to the euryhaline fish and prawn to survive and grow in such unique ecosystem. The dense growth of the tidal and intertidal mangroves along with their interesting aerial root systems, decayed leaves and tender branches act as substrata for the growth and development of periphytic, benthic and planktonic forms of brackishwater algae. These also serve as the ideal natural food items for most of the fishes and crustaceans. As such, the conservation and scientific management of these mangrove ecosystems are now urgently needed for keeping the nature in its true perspectives Source: Naskar, K.R.; Ghosh, A. Coastal Zone Management of West Bengal. Bose, A.N. ; Dwivedi, S.N. Eds. 1989; A47-A59. 0507. | ||
| 3 | Ecology of macrobenthos in a tidal creek and adjoining mangroves in West Bengal, India Studies on benthic macrofauna of a tidal creek (Mandarmani canal) and adjacent mangroves in the coastal zone of Midnapore district, West Bengal, India were carried out during November 1985-April 1987. The most common forms recorded were polychaetes, sipunculids, crustaceans, molluscs, nemarteans, gobiids and actiniarians. Polychaetes were the dominant taxa in the creek environment, the maximum density was 420 no./m3, whereas in the mangroves sipunculids were the most abundant group (54 no./m2). Salinity, water temperature, pH and dissolved oxygen of the creek water varied from 2 to 18.9 ppt, 18 to 32 C, 6.5 to 8 and 3.3 to 9.7 mg/liter respectively during the period of study Source: Patra, K.C.; Bhunia, A.B.; Mitra, A. Environ. Ecol.. 8(2); 1990; 539-547. 0515. | ||
| 4 | Ecology and faunal association of intertidal mangrove habitats in the Hooghly-Matlah Estuarine System The mangroves at the Sundarbans, West Bengal were studied for establishing the flora and faunal associations. The core areas are dominated by the trees, shrubs and herbs; the semicore areas by trees with twiners; and the mudflats in medium saline zones with shrubs and herbs. Tree-crabs hasten the process of compositing by chewing the falling leaves. The burrowing Thalassina spp. enrich the soil by mixing soil layers. Nutrient-rich zones like that of Sudhannyakhali is dominated by Thalassina sp. and Acetes sp. The floral and faunal concentrations at different formative zones have also been worked out Source: Ghosh, A.; Chakrabarti, P.K.; Naskar, K.R.; Chattopadhyay, G.N.; Nath, D.; Bhowmik, M.L. J. Inland Fish. Soc. India. 22(1-2); 1990; 31-37. 0533.
|