sundarbans case study

Question 1

where is the sundarbans

Answer 1

it is a region in south west Bangladesh and east India. It is on the delta of the ganges, brahmaputra and mengha rivers on the bay of bengal

Question 2

What are mangroves

Answer 2

It is a type of forest found in tropical areas, the trees are adapted to living in salt water and they grow on mudflats

Question 3

What is the landscape of the area

Answer 3

It is found on flat low lying areas. It is intersected with thousands of channels, many containing sand or silty islands

Question 4

What are the significance of the plants and animals in the sundarbans

Answer 4

Large parts of the region are protected as a nature reserve, it is a part of the largest mangrove forest in the world. It is home to many rare species like orchids, royal bengal tigers etc

Question 5

What is the natural state of the coastal system

Answer 5

Dynamic equilibrium. Material is deposited by the rivers, allowing growth of the mangrove forests. It is also eroded by the sea, so the size of sediment stores remain roughly the same

Question 6

What is the population of the sundarbans

Answer 6

4 million

Question 7

What are the natural products of the land

Answer 7

• flat fertile land of the river delta is ideal for growing crops, eg rice
• rich ecosystem of the mangrove forest provides the local population with fish, crabs, honey and nipa palm leaves used for roofing and basket making
• mangrove forests provide timber for construction, firewood, and furniture

Question 8

What services do the sundarbans create for the people who live there

Answer 8

• the mangrove forest acts as a natural defence against flooding, it acts as a barrier for rough waves and they absorb excess water in the monsoons, this helps crops to grow and people to live
  -mangroves protect against coastal erosion, their roots bind the soils together

Question 9

What are the opportunities for development

Answer 9

-opportunities for tourism, mangroves and wildlife
-since 2011 cargo ships have been transporting goods like oil and food inland, they do this through the waterways, these have been dredged to make the passage easier for ships
-a power plant has been proposed north of the national park, providing energy for people in the region