Publications by authors named "Bandana Das Ghosh"
Floodplain wetlands are biologically rich and productive ecosystems that can capture carbon (C) from the atmosphere through macrophytes and phytoplanktons and hold it in soil for a long time thus playing a critical role in mitigating climate change. The Assam state of India has about 1392 floodplain wetlands engulfing around 100,000 ha area in the Brahmaputra and Barak River basin. In the present study, five different wetlands in the middle Assam viz.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe degradation of peri-urban wetlands has been a significant consequence of urban development and climate change. The present study discovered the decadal changes in land cover and climate impact on Raja Wetland, revealing significant alterations from 2011 to 2021. The analysis indicates substantial reductions in agricultural land (36.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFArticle Synopsis
- The study examines the impact of climate change on coastal wetland fisheries and ecosystems in eastern India, focusing on vulnerability assessment through stakeholder input and data on ecology and fisheries.
- Results showed that human activities have a more significant effect on ecosystem services than climate factors, with fishers' adaptability playing a crucial role in their vulnerability to climate changes.
- The research also identifies 34 fish species and suggests climate-resilient adaptation strategies, emphasizing the need for supportive policies to enhance fishers' livelihoods and ecosystem sustainability.
Article Synopsis
- * The study investigated carbon accumulation in three types of wetlands in West Bengal, India, finding that carbon levels were significantly higher in the wetlands compared to nearby upland areas, especially in floodplains.
- * A strong link was found between the amount of macrophyte coverage (aquatic plants) and the carbon stored, indicating that plant growth boosts wetlands' ability to sequester carbon.
Article Synopsis
- - Vulnerability assessment conducted in nine floodplain wetlands in West Bengal highlights the significant impact of climate change and human activities on these ecosystems, emphasizing the need for effective management strategies.
- - The study utilized stakeholder perceptions and ecological data collected over a year to determine climate change awareness and specific ecological changes, revealing consensus among stakeholders about the adverse effects on wetland ecology and fisheries.
- - Results showed a warming trend and decreased rainfall over three decades, leading to reductions in wetland depth, species diversity, and increased macrophyte infestation; this indicated that 66.6% of the wetlands are highly vulnerable based on stakeholder perceptions.
Article Synopsis
- The study investigates how prokaryotic communities (bacteria and archaea) function as decomposers in different wetland ecosystems by comparing their community structure and diversity using three universal primers.
- Results show that while diversity indices were similar across primers, significant differences in community composition existed among the three wetlands: Bhomra (freshwater), Malencho (brackish), and East Kolkata (sewage-fed), with Bhomra having the highest prokaryote richness and diversity.
- Additionally, distinct indicator genera for each wetland were identified, revealing unique microbial preferences and potential roles, suggesting that prokaryotic community composition can serve as a sensitive bioindicator for wetland ecosystem health and management.
The regional climate has significantly warmed with erratically declining annual rainfall and intensified downpour within a narrower span of monsoon months, which led to an increased trophic state (≈algae) in most inland waters. Freshwater clupeids vitally control the aquatic food chain by grazing on algae. Despite increasing food availability, IUCN Red List® revealed 16 freshwater clupeids with a decreasing population trend.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe floodplain wetlands in different regional settings vary with time and space in terms of function and geomorphological diversity. In recent decades, these eco-sensitive waterbodies have been exposed to a wide range of anthropogenic threats and climatic changes. Therefore, assessment of these ecological and environmental threats is prerequisite to understand the state of ecosystem and to develop a sustainable management strategy for conservation of wetland biodiversity and fisheries enhancement.
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