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Degradation of Indus Delta Mangroves in Pakistan
| Content Provider | Semantic Scholar |
|---|---|
| Author | Amjad, Asma |
| Copyright Year | 2008 |
| Abstract | A largely arid/semi-arid country, Pakistan has a diverse landscape, with high mountain ranges, fragile watersheds, alluvial plains, sandy deserts and coastal mangroves. Indus, the major river of Pakistan, falls into the Arabian Sea in the Sindh coast forming a fanshaped delta interspersed with 17 major and numerous minor creeks and mudflats. Indus delta mangroves are unique in being the largest area of arid climate mangroves and the 7th largest block in the world. They are dominated by Avicennia marina (locally known as Timmer), which occupies about 90% of total mangroves in the delta. Reduction in inflow of freshwater from Indus on account of diversion of water for other purposes, inflow of pollutants from industries, navigational activities and intermix of industrial effluent, and human and livestock population pressure for fuelwood and fodder collection have exposed this complex ecosystem to severe environmental and social stresses in the form of loss of habitat and biodiversity, decline in fish productivity and social problems for coastal communities. The paper provides an overview of Pakistan's Indus delta mangroves, lists the manifold causes threatening their existence, and suggests corrective measures for preserving/developing this important ecosystem of the world. Keywords— Arid climate, Environmental and social stresses, Mudflats, Mangroves. |
| File Format | PDF HTM / HTML |
| Alternate Webpage(s) | http://www.naun.org/main/NAUN/geology/ijgeo-06.pdf |
| Language | English |
| Access Restriction | Open |
| Content Type | Text |
| Resource Type | Article |
