Ecosystem Goods and Services
Honey Hunting, Sundarbans
Unlike mangrove ecosystems in a number of countries in Asia, Africa and Latin America, the Sundarbans in Bangladesh has been recognized as a vital resource base about 5 centuries ago; actual scientific management of the forest was initiated more than 120 years ago.
In the 1980s, it was estimated that the Sundarban was producing 45% of the total timber and fuelwood output from the forests of the country.Moreover, as a large resource base, the mangrove forest generates large-scale employment opportunities. Although the number of people entering the forest can be as one million annually, the number of people involved in retailing, transporting and processing products from the Sundarban is much higher. Major forest products include timber and industrial raw material, fuelwood and thatching materials. On the other hand, important non-wood forest activities include shrimp farming,fry collection, salt production as well as production of honey ,bees-wax, alcohol and medicine. the annual economic value of the Sundarbans is estimated to be US$200,000-$900,000 per ha.
In the 1980s, it was estimated that the Sundarban was producing 45% of the total timber and fuelwood output from the forests of the country.Moreover, as a large resource base, the mangrove forest generates large-scale employment opportunities. Although the number of people entering the forest can be as one million annually, the number of people involved in retailing, transporting and processing products from the Sundarban is much higher. Major forest products include timber and industrial raw material, fuelwood and thatching materials. On the other hand, important non-wood forest activities include shrimp farming,fry collection, salt production as well as production of honey ,bees-wax, alcohol and medicine. the annual economic value of the Sundarbans is estimated to be US$200,000-$900,000 per ha.
Ecosystem Services
Value
|
Examples
|
Provision
|
|
Protection
|
|
Maintenance
|
|
In addition to playing an important role in Bangladesh's national economy as the single largest source of forest produce, the mangrove ecosystem also functions as a nutrient producer, water purifier, nutrient and sediment trap, storm barrier, shore stabilizer, energy storage unit and aesthetic attraction.