Reviving the peatland ecosystem of Ganges Tidal Floodplain

Introduction

This project focuses on the peatlands of the Ganges tidal floodplain, which are characterised by the organic materials that occupy more than half of the upper 80 cm of the profile and can also be present in different layers within the same soil.

Description

Bangladesh has approximately 224,700 ha of peatland habitat, covering around 1.6% of the total area of the country. These peatlands are distributed between the Ganges river floodplain and the Ganges tidal floodplain in Gopalgonj, Bagerhat, as well as in the adjoining parts of Khulna, Barisal, and Jessore districts of Bangladesh. There are also limited peat deposits in the Sylhet basins in the north-east of the country. Despite this coverage, peatland is viewed as marginal land in Bangladesh and has not received much attention over the years. Lack of public awareness and weak environmental regulations are the primary drivers of peatland conversion and depletion in the country. The main threats to this peatland ecosystem include; 1.The use of peat soil as fuel for the conventional cooking stoveused by local people 2.The extraction of snails from the habitat to be used as feed for commercial shrimpfarms 3.The conversion of peatland to cropland through drainage and embankment 4.The pollution from fertilizer and pesticide washout from nearby agricultural fields

Project Aims

Using Geographic Information System (GIS) and remote sensing, a land use map of peatland will be generated to better understand the spatial temporal status of the habitat. It is recognised that increased collaboration between government, NGOs, educational institutions and the local community will play an important role in conserving this important natural resource and protecting the environment. The research team plan to work with the local farming community to identify alternative options for income generation, including multi-storied agroforestry systems and quail farming, so that peatland conversion can be avoided.

Site Activity

A research team from Bangabandhu Sheik Mujibur Rahman Agricultural University took the initiative in the middle of 2012 to conserve the peatlands of the Ganges tidal floodplain. They carried out a baseline survey to assess the current status of the peatland, identify the major threats to the peatland ecosystem, and finally to design a framework to manage the resource. A GPS data of land use identified 29 different land use types in the area, including dry cropland, wet cropland, fish farm and settlement. Raising awareness among the local community of how valuable the wetlands are, and increasing their participation in conservation efforts, has been identified as a vital aspect of managing this environment. So far awareness raising activities have been carried out with 120 farming families, as well as two schools.

{"zoom":6,"lat":23.684994,"lon":90.356331}

Project Name: Reviving the peatland ecosystem of Ganges Tidal Floodplain

Organisation / Lead partner: Bangabandhu Sheik Mujibur Rahman Agricultural University

Predominately: Upland

    Person smiling and pointing at a sign saying '#BeMoreMoss'. Credit Vicky Akerman
    Announcing Peat-Fest South-West 2025 – a celebration of our peatland connectionsThe Art and Energy Collective has been awarded a grant by The National Lottery Heritage Fund to…
    Windfarm on peatland site
    National Policy Statements public consultationOpportunity to contribute to public consultation on National Policy Statements to support Clean…
    Line of fire being set by a vehicle with people on the back as part of swaling. Credit Heather Lowther (Creative Commons)
    Public consultation on heather and grass burning regulations in EnglandThe IUCN UK Peatland Programme has responded to Defra’s proposal to protect a greater extent of…
    Cross section of bare peat
    New Peat Map for EnglandThis week Natural England published the much anticipated England Peat Map which highlights the…
    IUCN World Conservation Congress logo
    Peatland motion headed to World Conservation Congress for considerationThe IUCN UK Peatland Programme-led motion to develop a unified definition of peatlands has…
    Area of burnt vegetation on national park in Northumberland
    A collection of three Natural England reports marks a step change for English peatlandsWe summarise three new reports from Natural England which have important implications for English…
    Neolithic trackway on Hatfield Moors. Credit: Henry Chapman Uni of Birmingham
    New publication: Tracks and roads on peatlandsThe IUCN UK Peatland Programme are pleased to publish our latest brief focusing on the impacts of…
    Peatland landscape showing flux tower and solar panel with a blue sky and hills in the background. Image credit Hollie Cooper, UKCEH
    Funding announced for greenhouse gas reduction solutions on peatlandsThe UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology is seeking proposals for projects up to £75,000 to advance…
    Hare's tail cottongrass on Humberhead levels
    Committee on Climate Change (CCC) 7th Carbon Budget Report - a response from IUCN UK Peatland ProgrammeThe IUCN UK Peatland Programme welcomes this week the publication of the Committee on Climate…
    Water vole sitting with blackberries
    New species showcase - Water voleContinuing the spotlight on peatland biodiversity, our first Species Showcase of 2025 is the Water…
    Digger being used to carry out peat bog restoration. Photo: Montgomeryshire Wildlife Trust
    Adoption of University of Cumbria PhD student’s carbon calculator brings national and international significanceThis week University of Cumbria and Barker and Bland Ltd.’s innovative carbon calculator has been…
    Image advertising launch of the CivTech Round 10 Challenge
    CiVTech innovators leading drive for advances within Peatland and Woodland Carbon CodesBringing efficiences to the Peatland Code and Woodland Carbon Code is the focus for three…