Coasts 7 - Humans at the coast Flashcards
Where are the Sundarbans
Southwest of Bangladesh, on the Delta of the Ganges
What is the land like
very flat and low-lying and intersected by 1000s of channels, many that contain snall sandy or silty islands
What is the Sundarbans home to
Many rare species of plants and animals, inclusing orchids, white-bellied sea eagles, Royal Bengal tigers and Irawadi dolphins
What is the system like in its natural state
Dynamic Equalibrium
What happens to the material
It’s deposited by the rivers
WHat does this allow for
allows for the growth of the mangrove forests
What is the population of the Sundarbans
4 million people
WHats good about the range of natural products the area provides
They can be used by people who occupy the area or sold and brings economic benefits
What are these 3 economic benefits
1) Flat fertile land of the river detlas is ideal for growing crops
2) Rich ecosystem of the forest provides the local population with fish, honey and palm leaves used for roofing and basket making
3) The mangrove forests provide timber for construction, firewood and furniture
What 2 services do the Sundarbans provide for people who live there
1) Provides a natural defence against flooding - acts as a barrier against rough seas and absorbs excess water in monsoon season. Makes it easier to live and grow crops
2) They protect areas against coastal erosion - their roots bind soil together
What will the opportunities for development do?
Increase the wealth of Bangladesh
Give an example of opportunity
Tourism - visitors are attracted to the wildlife and mangroves
What has happened since 2011?
Cargo ships have been able to use the waterways
What has been proposed for the north of the national park
A power plant - providing energy for the people of the region
What 8 risks does the location and nature of the Sundarbans create?
1) lack of fresh wattle
2) Growing population means more fuel and agricultural land
3) Flooding leads to salinisation
4) Its home to dangerous animals that attack humans
5) Lack of employment opportunities
6) Low-lying land means its at risk of rising sea levels and global warming
7) Relatively poor region - meaning its hard to receive communication
8) Access is hard as their are few roads and the ones that do exist are poor quality
What 3 ways can people respond to risks
Resilence, mitigation and adaptation
What does resilience mean?
Being able to cope with the challenges the environment presents
What 5 attempts have been put in place to increase peoples resilience
1) Public Health is increasing acsess to clean water and sanitation
2) Better roads and bridges are being built
3) Electricity is being extended to more areas and being made available in remote areas
4) Efforts to decrease poverty and increase food security
5) NGOs are offering training in sustainable methods to help prevent enviromental damage from over population or poor practice
What does mitigation mean
Reducing the severity of hazards or other problems
What are 3 examples of mitigation
1) 3500km of embankments were built to prevent flooding.
2) Coastal management projects aim to protect existing mangrove forests and replant areas that have been removed
3) Attempts to mitigate the impacts of extreme events, like cyclone shelters and early warning systems
What is adaptation
Adjusting behaviour to fit the environment.
How do people adapt
Adapt to the area to reduce risks and increase the benefits
What are the 4 ways adaptation is used
1) Salt-resistant varieties of rice are being grown - this helps residents cope with flooding and sea level rise
2) Projects are underway to increase tourism to the area, providing jobs and income
3) People adapt to sea level rise or flooding
4) Sustainable adaptations help ensure that fragile environments remain undamaged for future generations
