Delta Ecosystems

One can easily see here the delicate links in the riparian ecosystem. The amount of silt brought by the rivers to the delta regions over Millennia accounts for sinking of delta ecosystems.  This sinking of the delta area enables sea water ingress, erosion of the coast and gradually over thousands of years, sea water ingress can divide land masses. Mangrove forests like in the Sundarbans is the most effective bioshield against rising sea levels. Papua New Guinea, Borneo, Myanmar, Brazil's Amazon Delta, China's Eastern Sea Board, delta ecosystems of the south Indian rivers of Krishna, Godavari, Mahanadi, Cauvery, are all faced with sinking deltas. The Ganges is effectively buffered by sea level rise thanks to the mangroves in Sundarbans. The critical significance of mangroves cannot be reiterated. the Mekong Delta in Southern Vietnam ... are all sinking in comparison to sea level. To neutralise land degradation in delta ecosystems calls for an altogether renewed commitment to sustainable development, balanced economic growth  and equitable conservation of all life forms in sensitive ecosystems like Deltas...

Traditional livelihoods are compatible to sustainable development and protects conservation quotient in delta ecosystems.  

 Calcium deposits on fault lines are vulnerable to flash floods, storms and sea level rise. The Cliffs of Dover in Southeastern England and also in many priparian coasts of the Danube in southern Europe are vulnerable to sea level rise induced change of terrain / landscape / waterscape.

 Amazing! Look at the intricacy of water inlets and creeks! Nature's secrets best marveled at!

 Dams change the waterscape to the extent that riparian ecosystems are completely altered. Dams have not been effective in flood control as was envisaged half a century ago. The big dams may store water but have not been effective in offering water security ... only because of lack of sustainable development. Re-greening the catchment area is the key to sustenance of riparian hydrology to mitigate sea level rise.

 Livelihoods of communities living on river shores in South Asia are dependent on the rich aquatic resources are at stake when sea level rises and ingresses riparian and delta ecosystems.

 Wetlands are highly sensitive ecosystems in delta ecosystems. These ecosystems harbour a variety of endangered fauna... like turtles, crocodiles, flamingos, cranes,

 The tidal ecosystem accounts for the rise and fall of the tide in the world's biggest delta - the Gangetic delta - Sundarbans that straddles the border of India and Bangladesh. The Sundarbans is a UNESCO World Biological Heritage Site.The clayee soil and mangrove forests offer  habitat  including 260 bird species, the Bengal tiger and other threatened species such as the estuarine crocodile and the Indian python, mudskippers, nesting crocodiles, marine reptiles, birds, monitor lizards, civet cats, tigers, lynx cats, reef sharks, 

 This picture captures the sensitivity of the symbiosis of biomass and ecosystem.

 While navigable rivers are used for trade and commerce environmental protection cannot be overlooked. The Rein River in Germany was polluted indefatigably by the 1980s when Germany was seized of the critical importance of cleansing water pollution. Germany embraced sustainable development even as the Berlin Wall was smashed increasing the pressure on resources. It is to Germany's credit that a sustainable Green Economy has ushered in the maximum economic  power in the European Union three decades later.

 The Danube in Europe is a luscious habitat for aquatic wildlife ... birds, fresh water sturgeons, great white pelicans, beavers, terrapins, flamingos, among others.

the pond heron is one of the largest wetland birds ... found in fresh water ecosystems.

Pelicans flood the wetlands of the Danube Delta in Romania.

The pelicans it seems could not be any happier! Habitat conservation augments genetic pool and that counts well for genetic diversity, building resilience against inbreeding isolation of wildlife populations.

Wetland ecosystems are highly sensitive. They need in situ conservation true to geological significance of the area.

An fresh water crocodile in the Sundarbans. This particular crocodile has distinct features of both estuarine crocodile and fresh water crocodile. Thus it enhances genetic pool and gene diversity. The Sundarbans the world's largest mangrove ecosystem hosts all three Indian crocodiles - fresh water / mugger crocodiles, estuarine crocodiles and gharials. This is because of the rich and diverse tidal ecosystem, nutrients and soil.

The Grey Horn bill has a distinct hoot ... seen in the mangrove forests of the Sundarbans... perched on an Acacia tree / shrub. 

Germany deferred to sustainable development and left ample shoulder space on river shores for economic development. This has helped Germany reap tremendous rewards in the long term.

All big rivers drain into a lagoon before flowing into the Sea. This is a lagoon of the Amazon (above) 

A Google Earth snapshot of Amazon's lagoon.

A trader on a rice boat in the Mekong Delta, Vietnam. All agricultural produce of the Mekong Delta is traded on the navigable delta of the Mekong... earning the legendar River the epithet that is is the trade gateway of Vietnam.

A fishing village on the banks of the Mekong Rivr, Mekong River Delta, (Nine Dragons), Vietnam.

Fresh agricultural produce has a fresh new meaning on the Mekong Delta!

 Mangoes grow all twelve months of the year in Vietnam. The sheer variety of mangoes bewilders visitors to Vietnam!

Apricots or apples? Revert with answers to director@digitaldiscourse.org.in 

Fresh spinach and freshly made rice noodles on the Mekong Delta. 

Spinach, noodles, raw vegetables and prawns go into making rice spring rolls... an appetiser in Vietnam. 

 Seedless green grapes are a tropical delicacy.

Citrus fruits are a blessing in the Tropics. 

Orange is a very rich source of Vitamin C and can effectively supplement any meal. 

 A tropical fruit stall... showcases the horticultural diversity in Vietnam.

 Rare that a farmer leaves a mango fruit on the tree till it changes colour. At this stage of ripening it makes great nourishment to birds. Sustainable farming and sustainable agriculture counts on the intake for birds and other creatures great and small...

 Fruity paradise!

 Despite the protection of WTO emerging economies lack sagacity to negotiate better terms for trade.

 Floating markets ar a dying tradition in the South East but a way of livelihood security for millions

 Traditional soups and juices are godsent panacea for modern diseases like diabetes. Better to go local ion food consumption as a precaution say many experts in diabetes management today.

 Rice noodle soup in Northern Vietnam.

 Agro diversity in Vietnam... agrometeorological traditions pave the way for traditions in cooking and cuisine.

 Irresistible for Asians ... Mangoes.

 Mangoes come in all shapes, sizes and colours in Vietnam. 

 Ripe mangoes ready for trade.

 Cartloading mangoes in Vietnam.

 The varieties of mango in Vietnam will leave Indians in dismay!

 Not so ripe mangoes...

 Freshly harvested mangoes in Vietnam.

 Freshly ground pesto!

 West Asian and Mediterranean cuisine blessed by the Nile and Danube deltas...

 Fresh herbs, spinach, and dairy together are the basis of the regional cuisine. People living in delta ecosystems the world over have developed their cuisine around agrometeorological inheritance.

 Spinach forms a very rich source of minerals vitamins and nutrients... all absorbed from fertile aluvial soil of delta and riparian ecosystems.

 The botanical diversity of South East Asia finds its roots in the Western ghats of India - a Biodiversity Hotspot. This is the Bo Tree a Ficus species and finds genetic resonance across South and South East Asia.

A video of Vietnamese farmers creating a traffic jam in a race to the market place with a bumper harvest of the beloved Leechy fruit. This video went viral on social media in February 2019.

Pelicans prancing in the Mekong Delta.

Pictures: Pixabay; Captions: Malini Shankar