01-05 December 2025
INCOIS, Hyderabad, India.
| Abstract Submission No. | ABS-06-0049 |
| Title of Abstract | Seasonal and Spatial Variability of Plankton Communities Across Mangrove and Non-Mangrove Zones in the Sundarbans |
| Authors | Md. Hamim Chowdhury*, Dr. Subrata Sarker |
| Organisation | Shahjalal University of Science and Technology, Sylhet |
| Address | Kumargaon Sylhet-3114, Sylhet, Bangladesh Pincode: 3100 E-mail: hamimchy18@gmail.com |
| Country | Bangladesh |
| Presentation | Poster |
| Abstract | Mangrove ecosystems influence aquatic biodiversity by affecting nutrient dynamics and primary production. This study investigates the interaction between mangroves and the plankton community in the world's largest mangrove forest, Sundarbans, in Bangladesh. The data were collected from 35 stations, including 20 within mangrove areas and 15 from non-mangrove areas. Physiochemical parameters were measured from the Sundarbans area, and nutrient analysis focused on nitrite and phosphate concentrations. For the nutrient analysis water samples were filtered, while phytoplankton and zooplankton were collected using plankton nets. Also, mangrove data were collected using a 20-meter by 20-meter quadrat method to assess litterfall contributions. The results shows that nitrite and phosphate levels were higher in mangrove areas compared to non-mangrove regions. The higher concentration of nutrient availability in mangrove zones was due to organic matter input from litterfall. The abundance of phytoplankton and zooplankton were significantly higher in mangrove-influenced waters, suggesting that nutrient increase from decomposed litterfall fosters plankton productivity. The study also found dominant plankton species, showing the ecological role of mangrove in supporting primary and secondary productivity. Compared to, lower nutrient concentrations in the non-mangrove areas, which reduced plankton abundance, showing the valuable role of mangrove ecosystems in aquatic food webs. The findings indicate that the essential function of mangroves in maintaining coastal ecosystem stability. Conserving mangrove ecosystems is crucial for sustaining marine biodiversity, supporting fisheries, and mitigating the impacts of environmental change. |
| Are you part of IIOE-2 endorsed project | no |
| Keywords | Phytoplankton, Zooplankton, Abundance, Distribution, Nutrients, Mangrove, Sundarbans |
| For Awards | no |