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I. ENVIRONMENT AND ASSESSMENT OF FLOOD IMPACTS
[ I-A | I-B | I-C
| I-D | I-E ]
C. Ecological resources
[ C-1 | C-2 | C-3| C-4 ]
3. Flora and fauna
The ecology involves the interaction between a large number of faunal and floral species and a range of different habitat types. More than 5,000 floral species are estimated in Bangladesh (MOEF, 1991). About 158 species of flora belonging to 49 families which are inhabitants of freshwater wetlands (Karim, 1993) provide habitat to a large number of wildlife animals, act as escape cover and flood-safe nesting sites for many birds and other wild animals. They also contribute to the biological cycling and mobilization of chemical elements. The dry matter and nutrients in wetland plants and other food chains of the eco-system directly support a wealth of fisheries resources.
The birdlife of Bangladesh occupies a very important position in the worldwide avifaunal distribution, and particularly in South and Central Asia. About 660 species of birds are found in the country, which represents about 50 per cent of the South Asian species and just over 7 per cent of all globally known species. The reason for this is the unique geographical location of Bangladesh between different bio-geographical regions. Of these species, 220 are migratory and 170 are associated with wetlands. Over 70 of the water fowl are now rare or rarely seen in Bangladesh. The wetland and coastal habitats are of importance for the migratory birds, particularly of northern Asian region. The typical habitats for these winter migrants are the seasonally flooded agricultural lands, the winter wetlands, forest remnant areas, the lower reaches and Chars of large rivers and the coastal zones, particularly offshore islands and mud-flats.
Records suggest that of the more than 200 species of mammal that were once common in Bangladesh, over half have now disappeared or are seldom found. The primary impacts were seen in the floodplains in the last century and then through to the 1970s. There are 19 species of amphibian recorded in the country including 10 species of frog and toad. Frogs and toads play an important role as predators on field pests. There are 150 species of reptiles recorded nationally, including 31 species of turtles and tortoises, 24 of which are freshwater, four are marine and three are terrestrial species. There are three species of crocodile, one of which is found in salt water and two in fresh water. There are 18 known species of lizards and skinks and 78 species of snake.
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