Coastal Systems and Landscapes

Question 1

What is the main use of land in Bangladesh

Answer 1

Farming and agriculture, as well as rural fishing and farming practices

Question 2

What are some challenges and threats along the Bangladesh coastline

Answer 2

Physical geography - the ground tends to be low lying, making it susceptible to floods
Also threatens the soil used for farming as sea water flooding will create inundation

Deforestation - much of the land is used for agriculture, and forests are cleared to make more room. Poor enforce-ability on deforestation laws means the soil is to become weaker and unable to hold itself together from the loss of roots –> leeching

Coal power station of the mangrove coast - mangroves are removed, so less of a natural barrier against storm surges and more plants will die as there’s more salt in the water.

Question 3

what are some ICZM actions that have taken place along the Coastline of Bangladesh

Answer 3

• 2,000 cyclone shelters have been built, serving 27% of the coastal population
• 1,500 raised mounds constructed as it was realised livestock needs to be saved in order for people to have a reliable income after the storm hits
• storm shelters are multi use and also act as schools and social centres

Question 4

How many people is the Sundarbans home to

Answer 4

3 million people

Question 5

Describe the physical landscape of the Sundarbans

Answer 5

• made up of chars, deltas and khals
• a tropical estuarine ecosystem
• lots of halophytic trees/shrubs –> mangroves
• dynamic areas where sediment thats transported by rivers are loaded off due to the river incapacity to carry the sediment
• large percentage of the world’s population live in these areas due to their proximity to the sea, which is useful for fishing practices and travelling via boat

Question 6

How do people make a living whilst living in the Sundarbans

Answer 6

• fishing for valuable fish, shrimp, mollusks etc
• food and drink can be sourced from the mangrove forests such as salts, oils, honeys and fruits
• fuel can be found through charcoal and firewood
• organic matter makes the soils very fertile, meaning the lands in the mangrove forest or surrounding can be used for agricultural practices and farmland for livestock -> profit

Question 7

How do mangroves provide protection for people living in the Sundarbans

Answer 7

• they act as a natural buffer against storm winds, floods and storm surges, as well as reinforcing land that is susceptible to coastal erosion
• it is said that the density of 30 trees per 0.01 hectare can reduce the destructive force of a tsunami by up to 90%

Question 8

What are some natural challenges surrounding the Sundarbans

Answer 8

• instability of the islands
• cyclones
• coastal flooding
• high levels of salinity in the soil

Question 9

What are some human challenges surrounding the Sundarbans

Answer 9

• over exploitation of coastal resources from vulnerable habitats
• conversion of wetlands to intensive agriculture and settlements
• destructive fishing techniques
• lack of awareness of the environmental and economic importance of the region