Biodiversity of the Mangrove Ecosystem of Sundarbans

Abstract

Observations on the plant-animal relations and adaptations of different forms of living organisms of the mangrove swamps are presented. Principal forest formations inhabited by Sundarbans tigers have been described with vegetation types Ecological dynamics of the plant-animal complex indicate strict protection of the habitat. The mangrove zone situated below tbe tide level was observed to be comparatively rich in generic and specific diversity over other zones which are frequently inundated. Salinity and tidal fluctuations in the mangrove swamps are the critical factors that regulate the physical and chemical environment of the entire biota. All other biotic and abiotic factors that exert considerable force on the environment have also been identified. Habitat formations like pure Cereops. Excaecaria-Cereops which record high soil salinity also exhibit significantly higher human casualties from tiger. Soil salinity has been correlated with human casualties from tiger in different habitat formations types.