level. Bhui-yan (2015) highlighted the importance of this disaster and, wisely, made reference to some key aspects of its ecological impact such as oil on soil, partly smothered vegetation, propagule mortality, contaminated herbivore food and the need for Government level law enforcement to seriously protect this UNESCO World Heritage Site. Since the full picture of the Sundarbans food web is not yet. known but does involve iconic wildlife such as the Bengal tiger, dolphins (Ganetic & Irrawaddy), Indian fishing cat and spotted deer, ecosystem level thinking is essential. Although not always easy to do and not the norm in mangrove forest plantation forestry, this Sundarbans oil disaster can be used to re-affirm the wisdom of accepting the ecological principle that biodiversity facilitates ecosystem stability, resilience and sustainability. (See e.g. Smith & Smith, 2012; Molles, 2016). Although, post-oil spill recovery is still under assessment, the size and biodiversity of the Sundarbans brings an expectation of recovery. We, in mangrove ecosystem wise use, should be positively inclined towards the view that if these large scale ecotonal ecosystems can sustain a tiger (Panthera tigris) population, then perhaps mangrove forest size and wide biodiversity does matter. (Fig.1) Proceedings of the International Conference on Climate Change, Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services for the 75 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): Policy and Practice 27-29 June 2016, Cha-am, Phetchaburi, Thailand
Proceedings of International Conference on Climate Change, Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services for the Sustainable Development Goals : Policy and Practice 27-29 June 2016 at the Sirindhorn International Environmental Park, Cha-am, Phetchaburi, Thailand
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