This book examines the impacts that the COVID-19 lockdown has had on environmental and ecological health, with a focus on coastal ecosystems in the Lower Gangetic Delta. The book begins with an overview of COVID-19's spread and impact before and after the lockdown in the focus region, then addresses the specific impacts that the lockdown period had and continues to have on air quality, marine and estuarine water quality, coastal biodiversity, and the livelihoods of the region's inhabitants, especially those who live below the poverty line. The decrease in human activity combined with the complete closure of various sectors, including air travel, oil and gas drilling, and construction, has had a pronounced effect on biodiversity and overall environmental health that is yet to be fully realized. The book sheds light on these changes and assesses how biodiversity, ambient air quality, and ecosystem functioning will progress as COVID-19 remains a threat and the lockdown persists. The study will be of interest to researchers, government officials and professionals dealing with disaster management, environmental science, biological science, and health.
Author(s): Abhijit Mitra
Publisher: Springer
Year: 2023
Language: English
Pages: 317
City: Cham
Acknowledgment
About the Book
Contents
About the Author
Chapter 1: Introduction to COVID-19
1.1 Overview of COVID-19
1.2 Symptoms of the Disease
1.3 Impact of COVID-19 on Different Sectors
1.4 Take-Home Messages
1.5 Annexure 1A: Floral-Based Sanitizer: An Avenue for Alternative Livelihood
References
Chapter 2: Impact of COVID-19 Lockdown on Air Quality
2.1 COVID-19 and Air Quality
2.2 Impact of COVID-19 Lockdown on Air Temperature
2.3 Impact of COVID-19 Lockdown on GHGs
2.4 Take-Home Messages
2.5 Annexure 2A: Alteration of Atmospheric CO2 in Indian Sundarbans During the COVID-19 Lockdown Phase
References
Chapter 3: Impact of COVID-19 Lockdown on Marine and Estuarine Water Quality
3.1 Composition of Marine and Estuarine Water
3.2 Major Threats to Marine and Estuarine Water
3.3 Marine and Estuarine Water Quality Due to COVID-19 Lockdown
3.3.1 Surface Water pH
3.3.2 Chlorophyll a
3.3.3 Dissolved Oxygen
3.4 Take-Home Messages
3.5 Annexure 3A: Significant Decrease of Dissolved Zinc Level During COVID-19 Lockdown Phase in Coastal West Bengal
References
Internet Reference
Chapter 4: Impact of COVID-19 Lockdown on Coastal Biodiversity
4.1 Coastal Biodiversity: Focus Lower Gangetic Delta
4.2 Impact of COVID-19 Lockdown on Plankton Community
4.3 Microbial Load in the Inshore Region of Bay of Bengal During COVID-19 Lockdown Phase
4.4 Take-Home Messages
4.5 Annexure 4A: Checklist of Phytoplankton in the Lower Gangetic Estuarine Water (Adopted from Mitra and Zaman 2015)
References
Chapter 5: Impact of COVID-19 on Livelihoods of Lower Gangetic Delta
5.1 Major Livelihoods in the Lower Gangetic Delta
5.1.1 Agriculture
5.1.2 Aquaculture
5.1.3 Fishing Activities
5.1.4 Wood Collection
5.1.5 Honey and Other Nontimber Forest Products (NTFPs) Collection
5.1.6 Handicrafts
5.1.7 Animal Husbandry
5.2 Effects of COVID-19 on Livelihoods of Island Dwellers
5.3 Highlights of Alternative Livelihoods in the Pandemic Situation
5.3.1 Environment Education and Awareness Generation
5.3.2 Vocational Training for Shrimp Seed Collectors
5.3.3 Canal Excavation
5.3.4 Oyster Culture
5.3.5 Crab Fattening
5.3.6 Apiculture
5.3.7 Pisciculture
5.3.8 Afforestation
5.3.9 Pickle Preparation
5.3.10 Dudheswar Rice Variety Cultivation
5.3.11 Women Empowerment Through Milk Cooperative
5.4 Take Home Messages
Annexures
Annexure 5A: Depression and Frustration of People Below Poverty Line Among Island Dwellers of Deltaic Sundarbans
Annexure 5B: Adverse Impact of Shrimp Seed Collection
Background Information
Material and Methods
Research Site
Data Capture
Result
Impact on Socioeconomic Status of Shrimp Seed Collectors
Sex Ratio in the Family of Shrimp Seed Collectors
Age Structure
Sex Ratio
Religion
Education
Health and Diseases
Impact on Biodiversity Spectrum
Fish Juvenile Loss
Uprooting of Mangrove Seedlings
Discussion and Way Forward
Annexure 5C: Preparation of Hand Wash/Sanitizer Using Common Mangrove Associate Floral Species of Indian Sundarbans
Annexure 5D: Community-Based Edu-Tourism
Annexure 5E: Biofloc System: A Double-Edged Benefit on Economics and Environment
Step 1: Tank or Pond Set-Up
Step 2: Aeration
Step 3: Pre-seeding Beneficial Microbes
Step 4: Species Selection and Stocking Densities
Step 5: Balancing Carbon Source Input
Step 6: Biofloc Growth
Step 7: Monitoring and Control of Biofloc Development
Step 8: Monitoring and Control of Water Parameters and Associated Farm Infrastructure
Step 9: Monitoring and Scanning the Culture Species
Step 10: Harvest and Clean Up
Annexure 5F: Preparation of Desserts (Rasgulla) with Medicinal Potential
Annexure 5G: Halophyte Farming in the Supralittoral Zone of Indian Sundarban Estuaries
Step 1
Step 2
Remarks
Step 3
References
Index
