Mangrove status, its ecosystem, and climate change in Myanmar: A study in Ayeyarwaddy Delta Coastal Zone

Abstract

Myanmar is a country belonging mangrove and its ecosystem, a unique vegetative species with a high ecosystem services: much higher carbon sequestration than terrestrial forests and climate change induced disaster defence power to community and biodiversity. The degree of its ecosystem services depends on their biological and physical system status. Alternatively, it is one of the most fragile ecosystems and vulnerable to disturbances including climate change. 80 % of the Ayeyarwaddy mangroves was seriously damage by the cyclone Nargis (2008). The study was conducted in Ayeyarwaddy Delta Coastal Zone by adopting transect survey, climate data analysis and reviewing scientific papers and policy documents with two main objectives: understanding climate change, awareness raising on ecosystem and local livelihood status, and enhancing mangrove ecosystem conservation and protection in terms of technology and policy. To recover the mangrove back it took for eight years minimum. Mangrove tree species number is decreasing from 45 to 30 in 37 years. Salinity variation is driving habitat of aquatic fauna species and local livelihoods. Myanmar climate change policy, National Environmental Policy, and Forest Policy become powerful tools to achieve the Nation’s sustainable development goal in the context of addressing climate change and the ecosystem protection through institution and technology enhancement. Ecosystem conservation is suggested to minimize not only to minimize climate change impacts but also to improve sustainability of the local community and the ecosystem.