S.K. Yadav* and S.S. Dash
Botanical Survey of India, CGO Complex, Sector 1, Salt Lake City, Kolkata – 700064
Email: skyadavbsic@gmail.com
Received-02.10.2023, Revised-16.10.2023, Accepted-28.10.2023
Abstract: The Sundarban Biosphere Reserve is one of the renowned mangrove forests and a UNESCO heritage site, situated the in the Bay of Bengal. It is also recognised as the world’s largest contiguous mangrove forest and habitat for the iconic Royal Bengal Tiger. Spreading in ca 4200 sq km, the Indian Sundarbans is endowed with 102 islands, of which 54 are known for human habitation. Due to the unique deltoid nature, the region is very rich in biodiversity. The marine flora of the Sundarban Biosphere Reserve mainly includes mangroves and mangrove associates, seaweeds (marine macro algae), seagrasses and the phytoplanktons. The present comprehensive study reveals 32 taxa of true mangroves, 47 taxa of mangroves associates, 28 taxa of seaweeds, 6 taxa of seagrasses and 77 taxa of Phytoplantons. This rich floristic diversity of this Biosphere Reserve plays an important role in the sustainability of the marine ecosystems, carbon sequestration, climate change mitigation, and influences the socio-economic aspects of the region. Therefore, the present review study highlights the floristic resources of the Sundarban Biosphere Reserve and its importance in the ecological and socio-economical perspectives.
Keywords: Carbon sequestration, Floral resources, Mangroves, Socio-ecological, Sundarban, UNESCO Heritage
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