Chapter 6
Impact of Climate Change
on the Endemic Medicinal Plant Species
Inhabiting the World Heritage Site
of Indian Sundarbans
Sana Ahmed, Shambhu Prasad Chakrabarty, Prosenjit Pramanick,
Sufia Zaman, and Abhijit Mitra
Abstract We surveyed the medicinal plant diversity in the World Heritage Site of
Indian Sundarbans from 7 November 2021 to 14 November 2021 in three sectors,
namely, western, central, and eastern. These plants are collectively called halophytes
(more specifically, euhalophytes, as they can tolerate a wide range of salinity ranging
from 2 to 30 psu). We carried out a respondent analysis on the curative properties of
halophytes involving the relevant stakeholders and observed the maximum weightage
to cure dermatological problems compared to other health issues. However, it is
interesting to note that the people of the deltaic complex are sceptical about using
halophytes for curing heart diseases. It is also observed that the impact of climate
change, like sea level rise and erosion, is maximum on the medicinal plant community,
followed by natural disasters and acidification.
6.1 Introduction
The planet Earth supports the unique genetic diversity of medicinal plants, which
have been used to cure a wide range of diseases since ancient times. Halophytes
constitute a dominant proportion of medicinal plants whose extracts are mainly used
to boost immunity in human beings. Trees’ bark, stem, and root extracts are also used
to heal various diseases. From ancient times until the 1950s, the use of medicinal
S. Ahmed · P. Pramanick · S. Zaman
Department of Oceanography, Techno India University, West Bengal, EM 4 Salt Lake, Sector V,
Kolkata 700091, India
S. P. Chakrabarty (B)
Department of Law, University of Engineering and Management, Kolkata, University Area, Plot
No. III, B/5, Newtown Road, Action Area III, New Town, Kolkata 700160, India
e-mail: shambhuprasadc@gmail.com
A. Mitra
Department of Marine Science, University of Calcutta, 35 B.C. Road, Kolkata 700019, India
© The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd. 2024 95
A. Penteado et al. (eds.), Traditional Knowledge and Climate Change,
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-99-8830-3_6
96 S. Ahmed et al.
plants to protect human beings from diseases dates when there were no ultra-modern
and sophisticated healthcare units. The Indian tribals used to depend on plant extract
to cure several disorders.
The mangrove ecosystems of Indian Sundarbans are the reservoir of several cate-
gories of halophytes which the island dwellers use to alleviate their health maladies
such as abdominal pain, cardiac diseases, cough and cold, fracture of bones, aller-
gies, and several other dermatological problems. Dwellers in this lower Gangetic
delta complex use oil and water extracts of these halophytes. This is knowledge
passed through generations via their ancestors.
However, the reservoir of medicinal plants in the Indian Sundarbans region is
presently under environmental threat due to climate change-induced sea level rise,
erosion, and acidification of estuarine water. Even frequent natural calamities like
cyclonic depressions, such as Aila in 2009, cause massive damage to the habitats
supporting the medicinal plant species. The taxonomic documentation of endemic
medicinal plants in the World Heritage Site of Indian Sundarbans is well known,
but there is a major gap in understanding the impact of climate change on these
valuable floral resources of this region. This paper highlights the major euhalophytes
used to cure various human diseases and the threats posed by climate change on this
community. We have also conducted a respondent analysis to evaluate the adverse
impacts of climate change on the euhalophytes thriving in the western, central, and
eastern sectors of Indian Sundarbans by involving the relevant stakeholders in the
loop.
6.2 Indian Sundarbans: A hub of Medicinal Plant Diversity
The present study has considerable implications as (i) medicinal plant diversity and
their applications would be revealed, which is still a major gap in the documentation
of medicinal plant diversity in Indian Sundarbans, (ii) acceptability and dependency
of the local population on endemic medicinal herbs, shrubs, and trees can be evaluated
through respondent analysis, (iii) impact of climate change-induced threats on the
medicinal plant community would be highlighted.
Based on these scopes, the present research encompasses a few important
objectives in the framework of Indian Sundarbans, as listed here.
1. To determine the current status of medicinal plant diversity growing in brackish
water and their applications as baseline information.
2. To evaluate the acceptability and dependency of the local population on endemic
medicinal herbs, shrubs, and trees through respondent analysis.
3. To assess the degree of threats posed by climate change-induced sea level rise,
erosion, natural disaster (cyclones), and acidification.
4. To develop a conservation protocol for medicinal plants to provide sustainability
to this domain.
6 Impact of Climate Change on the Endemic Medicinal Plant Species … 97
Considering the stated objectives, the present research programme was based on
secondary data collection from major stakeholders (90%) and primary data genera-
tion through field visits (10%). The survey consists of a few steps. The first round of
questions was prepared, and an online invitation (through Google Meet) for partici-
pation was sent to the selected respondents (n = 150, which includes all categories
of respondents) (Annexure 1).
The first-round questions were open-ended, and the respondents were asked to
suggest different Provisioning Services (P.S.) provided by endemic medicinal plants
based on their field experience. A feedback report was prepared based on the survey.
In the second round, scores were provided to these categories of P.S., where the
respondents were asked to score options on a scale of 1–8, where “1” indicates the
lowest value and “8” indicates the highest value. Later, to rank the categories, the
scores for each P.S. category were given corresponding weights ranging between 1
and 8 (PSR) and multiplied by the percentage of votes for that option to generate a
total weighted score for that P.S., which is referred to as Provisioning Service Score
(PSS).
In the final stage, Combined Provisioning Service Scale (CPSS) was constructed
based on Provisioning Service Scale (PSS) computed as per the expression:
CPSS = PSS1 + PSS2 + PSS3 + PSS4 + PSS5
where, PSS = Provisioning Service Rank (PSR) × % of Vote.
It is to be noted in this context that the sample size of different respondents
is variable, e.g., the sample size for policymakers is not like local inhabitants or
fishermen.
6.3 Exploring the Medicinal Plant Diversity and People’s
Participation
1. Current Status of Medicinal Plant Diversity in Indian Sundarbans
To survey the current status of mangrove medicinal plants during 2021, the average
density of existing populations of the mangrove trees within 10 m × 10 m moni-
toring plot was evaluated during a 7-day field trip from 7 November 2021 to 14
November 2021 by direct counts from 10 replicate quadrats that were placed at
randomly selected points in each station selected in three different regions of Indian
Sundarbans. The species composition, abundance of trees, and the number of species
within each random quadrat were recorded (Table 6.1).
2. Respondent Analysis on the Acceptability of the Local Population on Endemic
Medicinal Plants
98 S. Ahmed et al.
Table 6.1 True mangroves in
True mangrove flora Abundance
the Indian Sundarbans, along
with their abundance “−” W C E
means absent, “+” means 1. Acanthus ilicifolius +++ +++ +++
present in small number, “++”
means present in moderate 2. Acanthus volubilis +++ +++ ++
level, and “+++” means high 3. Aegiceros corniculatum +++ +++ +++
abundance, N.S. means not 4. Aegialitis rotundifolia +++ + +++
surveyed; W, C, and E
represent the western, central, 5. Amoora cucullata + + ++
and eastern regions of Indian 6. Avicennia alba ++ +++ ++
Sundarbans, respectively in 7. Avicennia marina ++ +++ +++
the study area
8. Avicennia officinalis ++ +++ +++
9. Brownlowia tersa ++ + +++
10. Bruguiera cylindrica ++ + ++
11. Bruguiera gymnorrhiza +++ ++ +++
12. Bruguiera parviflora +++ + +++
13. Bruguiera sexangula +++ + +++
14. Ceriops decandra + +++ +++
15. Ceriops tagal + ++ +++
16. Cynometra ramiflora NS NS NS
17. Derris trifoliate +++ + +++
18. Derris umbrellatum NS NS NS
19. Excoecaria agallocha +++ +++ +++
20. Excoecaria bicolor +++ +++ +++
21. Heritiera fomes + # ++
22. Hibiscus tortuosus NS NS NS
23. Kandelia candel NS NS NS
24. Lumnitzera racemosa NS NS NS
25. Nypa fruticans ++ + +++
26. Phoneix paludosa – +++ +++
27. Rhizophora apiculata + ++ ++
28. Rhizophora mucronata + ++ ++
29. Sonneratia apetala +++ + +++
30. Sonneratia caseolaris + + +++
31. Tamarix dioica NS NS NS
32. Tamarix gallica NS NS NS
33. Xylocarpus granatum ++ ++ ++
34. Xylocarpus mekongensis NS NS NS
6 Impact of Climate Change on the Endemic Medicinal Plant Species … 99
The results generated through respondent analysis revealed a few interesting
findings, as listed here (Tables 6.2, 6.3 and 6.4 and Figs. 6.1, 6.2, 6.3, 6.4 and 6.5).
For western Indian Sundarbans, the order of CPSS varies as per the sequence
Dermatological problem (1096.8) > Gastric problems (810.5) > Cough and cold
(557.1) > Fracture of Bones (378.0) > Cardiovascular disease (303.3) > Leprosy
(62.1) > Rheumatism (15.1) > Microbial disease (10.6) (Table 6.2).
In central Indian Sundarbans, the highest score was generated for Dermatolog-
ical problems (1094.4), followed by Gastric problems (722.7), Cough and cold
(514.4), Fracture of Bones (405.9), Cardiovascular disease (313.9), Leprosy (60.2),
Rheumatism (16.1), and Microbial disease (9.4) (Table 6.3).
Table 6.2 Major
Provisioning service Policy formulator (respondent
provisioning service offered
type 1)
by Mangroves of western
Indian Sundarbans PSR % of vote PSS1
Fracture of bones 8 11 88
Rheumatism 2 2 4
Microbial disease 1 1 1
Leprosy 3 2.9 8.7
Cardiovascular Disease 4 12.6 50.4
Cough and cold 7 17.2 120.4
Gastric problems 6 25.7 154.2
Dermatological problem 8 27.6 220.8
Provisioning service Researcher (respondent type 2)
PSR % of vote PSS 2
Fracture of bones 7 9.7 67.9
Rheumatism 1 1.8 1.8
Microbial disease 2 1.6 3.2
Leprosy 3 4.3 12.9
Cardiovascular Disease 5 13.4 67
Cough and cold 8 16.8 134.4
Gastric problems 7 25.3 177.1
Dermatological problem 8 27.1 216.8
Provisioning service Fisherman (respondent type 3)
PSR % of vote PSS 3
Fracture of bones 7 10.4 72.8
Rheumatism 2 1.7 3.4
Microbial disease 1 2.2 2.2
Leprosy 3 4.1 12.3
Cardiovascular disease 4 13.1 52.4
(continued)
100 S. Ahmed et al.
Table 6.2 (continued)
Cough and cold 6 15.5 93
Gastric problems 5 25 125
Dermatological problem 8 28 224
Provisioning service Medical practitioner (respondent
type 4)
PSR % of vote PSS 4
Fracture of bones 7 9.1 63.7
Rheumatism 2 1.8 3.6
Microbial disease 1 2.4 2.4
Leprosy 3 3.8 11.4
Cardiovascular disease 5 13.7 68.5
Cough and cold 6 16.1 96.6
Gastric problem 7 25.6 179.2
Dermatological problem 8 27.5 220
Provisioning service Local people (respondent type 5)
PSR % of vote PSS 5
Fracture of bones 8 10.7 85.6
Rheumatism 1 2.3 2.3
Microbial disease 1 1.8 1.8
Leprosy 4 4.2 16.8
Cardiovascular disease 5 13 65
Cough and cold 7 16.1 112.7
Gastric problems 7 25 175
Dermatological problem 8 26.9 215.2
The respondent analysis conducted on the provisioning service of medicinal
plants, considering the major health problems in the eastern sector of Indian Sundar-
bans (Table 6.4), assigned the highest value to Dermatological problems (1092),
followed by the Gastric problems (725.1), Cough and cold (542.6), Fracture of Bones
(420.0), Cardiovascular disease (251.4), Leprosy (57.7), Rheumatism (21.4), and
Microbial disease (9.6).
6.4 Variability in Respondent Analysis
It is crystal clear from the respondent analysis that in Indian Sundarbans, people
depend on endemic medicinal plants mainly to cure dermatological problems,
followed by Gastric problems, Cough and cold, and Fracture of Bones.
During the study, the plant parts of the euhalophytes used for curing health prob-
lems in the Sundarban region have also been explored. Statistical analysis of data
6 Impact of Climate Change on the Endemic Medicinal Plant Species … 101
Table 6.3 Major
Provisioning service Policy formulator (respondent
provisioning service offered
type 1)
by Mangroves of central
Indian Sundarbans PSR % of vote PSS 1
Fracture of bones 7 10.1 70.7
Rheumatism 2 1.5 3
Microbial disease 1 2.7 2.7
Leprosy 4 3.2 12.8
Cardiovascular disease 4 12.1 48.4
Cough and cold 6 16.6 99.6
Gastric problems 5 25.3 126.5
Dermatological problem 8 28.5 228
Provisioning service Researcher (respondent type 2)
PSR % of vote PSS 2
Fracture of bones 7 11.6 81.2
Rheumatism 1 2.3 2.3
Microbial disease 1 1.2 1.2
Leprosy 3 2.6 7.8
Cardiovascular disease 5 13.5 67.5
Cough and cold 6 17.8 106.8
Gastric problems 7 24.8 173.6
Dermatological problem 8 26.2 209.6
Provisioning service Fisherman (respondent type 3)
PSR % of vote PSS 3
Fracture of bones 7 10 70
Rheumatism 2 1.4 2.8
Microbial disease 1 2.6 2.6
Leprosy 4 3.3 13.2
Cardiovascular disease 5 13 65
Cough and cold 7 16.4 114.8
Gastric problems 5 25 125
Dermatological problem 8 28.3 226.4
Provisioning service Medical practitioner (respondent
type 4)
PSR % of vote PSS 4
Fracture of bones 8 11.2 89.6
Rheumatism 1 2.6 2.6
Microbial disease 1 1.6 1.6
Leprosy 4 3.1 12.4
Cardiovascular disease 5 13.5 67.5
Cough and cold 6 16 96
(continued)
102 S. Ahmed et al.
Table 6.3 (continued)
Gastric problems 6 25.3 151.8
Dermatological problem 8 26.7 213.6
Provisioning service Local people (respondent type 5)
PSR % of vote PSS 5
Fracture of bones 8 11.8 94.4
Rheumatism 2 2.7 5.4
Microbial disease 1 1.3 1.3
Leprosy 4 3.5 14
Cardiovascular disease 5 13.1 65.5
Cough and cold 6 16.2 97.2
Gastric problems 6 24.3 145.8
Dermatological problem 8 27.1 216.8
Table 6.4 Major
Provisioning service Policy formulator (respondent
provisioning service offered
type 1)
by Mangroves of eastern
Indian Sundarbans PSR % of vote PSS 1
Fracture of bones 8 10 80
Rheumatism 2 1.2 2.4
Microbial disease 1 2.1 2.1
Leprosy 4 3.5 14
Cardiovascular disease 3 13 39
Cough and cold 6 16.1 96.6
Gastric problems 5 26.1 130.5
Dermatological problem 8 28 224
Provisioning service Researcher (respondent type 2)
PSR % of vote PSS 2
Fracture of bones 8 9.2 73.6
Rheumatism 1 2.8 2.8
Microbial disease 1 1.6 1.6
Leprosy 4 3.7 14.8
Cardiovascular disease 4 13.6 54.4
Cough and cold 6 17.8 106.8
Gastric problems 6 24 144
Dermatological problem 8 27.3 218.4
Provisioning service Fisherman (respondent type 3)
PSR % of vote PSS 3
(continued)
6 Impact of Climate Change on the Endemic Medicinal Plant Species … 103
Table 6.4 (continued)
Fracture of bones 8 11.8 94.4
Rheumatism 2 2.4 4.8
Microbial disease 2 1.6 3.2
Leprosy 3 3.2 9.6
Cardiovascular disease 4 13 52
Cough and cold 7 16.2 113.4
Gastric problems 6 24.9 149.4
Dermatological problem 8 26.9 215.2
Provisioning service Medical practitioner (respondent
type 4)
PSR % of vote PSS 4
Fracture of bones 8 10.3 82.4
Rheumatism 2 2.1 4.2
Microbial disease 1 1.5 1.5
Leprosy 3 3.1 9.3
Cardiovascular disease 4 13.4 53.6
Cough and cold 7 17.6 123.2
Gastric problems 6 25 150
Dermatological problem 8 27 216
Provisioning service Local people (respondent type 5)
PSR % of vote PSS 5
Fracture of bones 8 11.2 89.6
Rheumatism 3 2.4 7.2
Microbial disease 1 1.2 1.2
Leprosy 4 2.5 10
Cardiovascular disease 4 13.1 52.4
Cough and cold 6 17.1 102.6
Gastric problems 6 25.2 151.2
Dermatological problem 8 27.3 218.4
revealed that leaves and stems are mostly used for curing various diseases. It has
been documented that approximately 48% of leaves, 26% of stems, 18% of seeds,
and 8% of roots are used. The ethnomedicinal plant parts are used to cure some
important and common diseases (such as cough, fever, leukoderma, diarrhoea, and
various dermatological problems).
104 S. Ahmed et al.
Fig. 6.1 Provisional service score provided by policy formulator in context to Medicinal plants of
the study area; W represents the western part of Indian Sundarbans, C represents the central part of
Indian Sundarbans, and E represents the eastern part of Indian Sundarbans
Fig. 6.2 Provisional service score provided by researcher in context to Medicinal plants of the
study area; W represents the western part of Indian Sundarbans, C represents the central part of
Indian Sundarbans, and E represents the eastern part of Indian Sundarbans
6 Impact of Climate Change on the Endemic Medicinal Plant Species … 105
Fig. 6.3 Provisional service score provided by fisherman in context to Medicinal plants of the study
area; W represents the western part of Indian Sundarbans, C represents the central part of Indian
Sundarbans, and E represents the eastern part of Indian Sundarbans
Fig. 6.4 Provisional service score provided by medical practitioner in context to Medicinal plants
of the study area; W represents the western part of Indian Sundarbans, C represents the central part
of Indian Sundarbans, and E represents the eastern part of Indian Sundarbans
106 S. Ahmed et al.
Fig. 6.5 Provisional service score provided by local inhabitant in context to Medicinal plants of
the study area; W represents the western part of Indian Sundarbans, C represents the central part of
Indian Sundarbans, and E represents the eastern part of Indian Sundarbans
6.5 Conclusion
The present study has been conducted to generate awareness about this category of
medicinal euhalophytes among the people and give an important idea about future
research. In Sundarban regions, particular treatment of small injuries, stomach aches,
dermatological problems, abdominal disorders, etc., are treated by this type of medic-
inal plant. Therefore, ANOVA was carried out considering the CPSS value for each
disease, shown in Tables 6.5, 6.6, 6.7, 6.8, 6.9, 6.10, 6.11 and 6.12.
A critical observation of the ANOVA tables generated a few interesting findings.
First, it is seen that except for the remediation of cardiovascular diseases (Table 6.9),
there is no difference in opinion in curing other diseases from the endemic medicinal
Table 6.5 ANOVA for CPSS in context to remediation of fracture of bones by medicinal plants
Variation Sum of Degree of Mean sum of Fobserved P-value Fcritical
squares freedom squares
Between 182.748 2 91.374 0.903479 0.442815 4.45897
sectors
Between 400.1427 4 100.0357 0.989124 0.465706 3.837853
respondents
Error 809.0853 8 101.1357
Total 1391.976 14
6 Impact of Climate Change on the Endemic Medicinal Plant Species … 107
Table 6.6 ANOVA for CPSS in context to remediation of rheumatism by medicinal plants
Variation Sum of Degree of Mean sum of Fobserved P-value Fcritical
squares freedom Squares
Between 4.585333 2 2.292667 1.419461 0.296767 4.45897
sectors
Between 11.26267 4 2.815667 1.743267 0.233299 3.837853
respondents
Error 12.92133 8 1.615167
Total 28.76933 14
Table 6.7 ANOVA for CPSS in context to remediation of microbial disease by medicinal plants
Variation Sum of Degree of Mean sum of Fobserved P-value Fcritical
squares freedom squares
Between 0.165333 2 0.082667 0.138897 0.872372 4.45897
sectors
Between 2.382667 4 0.595667 1.00084 0.460537 3.837853
respondents
Error 4.761333 8 0.595167
Total 7.309333 14
Table 6.8 ANOVA for CPSS in context to remediation of leprosy by medicinal plants
Variation Sum of Degree of Mean sum Fobserved P-value Fcritical
squares freedom of squares
Between 1.948 2 0.974 0.103766 0.90263 4.45897
sectors
Between 10.92 4 2.73 0.290843 0.875977 3.837853
respondents
Error 75.092 8 9.3865
Total 87.96 14
Table 6.9 ANOVA for CPSS in context to remediation of cardiovascular disease by medicinal
plants
Variation Sum of squares Degree of Mean sum of Fobserved P-value Fcritical
freedom squares
Between 447.4813 2 223.7407 18.82441 0.000943 4.45897
sectors
Between 625.2627 4 156.3157 13.15161 0.001358 3.837853
respondents
Error 95.08533 8 11.88567
Total 1167.829 14
108 S. Ahmed et al.
Table 6.10 ANOVA for CPSS in context to remediation of cough and cold by medicinal plants
Variation Sum of Degree of Mean Sum Of Fobserved P-value Fcritical
squares freedom Squares
Between 188.5853 2 94.29267 0.483719 0.633412 4.45897
sectors
Between 277.0427 4 69.26067 0.355306 0.833636 3.837853
respondents
Error 1559.461 8 194.9327
Total 2025.089 14
Table 6.11 ANOVA for CPSS in context to remediation of Gastric problems by medicinal plants
Variation Sum of Degree of Mean sum of Fobserved P-value Fcritical
squares freedom squares
Between 1000.517 2 500.2587 2.625428 0.132857 4.45897
sectors
Between 2498.371 4 624.5927 3.27795 0.071841 3.837853
respondents
Error 1524.349 8 190.5437
Total 5023.237 14
Table 6.12 ANOVA for CPSS in context to remediation of Dermatological problems by medicinal
plants
Variation Sum of Degree of Mean sum of Fobserved P-value Fcritical
squares freedom squares
Between 2.304 2 1.152 0.056456 0.945481 4.45897
sectors
Between 190.0373 4 47.50933 2.32828 0.143682 3.837853
respondents
Error 163.2427 8 20.40533
Total 355.584 14
halophytes among the respondents of all three sectors of Indian Sundarbans. Basi-
cally, in the islands of Sundarbans, there are no well-developed healthcare units or
hospitals.
Hence, oil/water extracts are used to cure diseases of the local island dwellers
of Indian Sundarbans, which they have learned from their ancestors. The extract of
Acanthus ilicifolious (that thrives within the salinity range of 5–32 psu) is used to
cure inflammation and fracture of bones.
Extract of Aegiceros corniculatum (survives within the salinity regime 4–12 psu)
is used to cure Rheumatism. Various mangrove plants have anti-microbial properties,
but they are not well known to the island dwellers of Indian Sundarbans. Excoecaria
6 Impact of Climate Change on the Endemic Medicinal Plant Species … 109
Table 6.13 Major threats to
Threat Type Magnitude
medicinal plant communities
Sea level rise +++
Erosion +++
Natural Disaster +++
Acidification +++
agallocha (which thrives within the salinity range of 5–30 psu) is well known for
curing leprotic wounds.
There is no statistically significant variation in opinion between the respondents
on this curative property provided to the infected persons from the latex of the
species. For cough and cold, gastric problems, and dermatological problems, fruits of
Sonneratia apetala (prefers salinity range between 2–12 psu), seeds of Avicennia alba
(that thrives within the salinity range 8–25 psu), and fruits of Avicennia officinalis
(that thrives within the salinity range 10–32 psu), respectively, are used for curing
the diseases. However, an interesting fact is identified for cardiovascular diseases.
It is observed from the ANOVA (Table 6.9) that there are significant differ-
ences between sectors and respondents on the remedial property of medicinal plants
in connection to cardiovascular diseases. Furthermore, it shows that the people
of Sundarbans believe in healthcare units and hospitals for curing cardiovascular
diseases rather than using endemic euhalophytes.
The present study is expected to open a new horizon of sustainable alternative
livelihood for the people of Indian Sundarbans by developing bioactive molecules
from endemic euhalophytes, which several pharmaceutical companies target to
discover a new drug from the extracts of different parts of medicinal plants.
It is to be noted in this context that climate changes pose a significant impact
on the euhalophytes through factors like sea level rise, erosion, and natural disasters
(cyclones such as Aila that caused massive devastation during 2009) and acidification,
as stated in Table 6.13.
It is observed from the respondent analysis that the order of the Composite Threat
Scale on the medicinal plants’ community is Natural Disaster (726.8) > sea level rise
(547.3) > Erosion (253.4) > Acidification (96.6) (Table 6.14).
110 S. Ahmed et al.
Table 6.14 Climate
Climate change-induced threat Policy formulator
change-induced threat type on
(respondent type 1)
medicinal plant community in
Indian Sundarbans PSR % of vote TS1
Sea level rise 4 37.4 149.6
Erosion 3 17.8 53.4
Natural Disaster 4 31.7 126.8
Acidification 1 13.1 13.1
Climate change-induced threat Researcher (respondent type
2)
PSR % of vote TS2
Sea level rise 4 36.6 146.4
Erosion 2 23.3 46.6
Natural Disaster 4 38.7 154.8
Acidification 1 1.4 1.4
Climate change-induced threat Fisherman (respondent type
3)
PSR % of vote TS3
Sea level rise 3 30.1 90.3
Erosion 2 18.6 37.2
Natural Disaster 4 50.2 200.8
Acidification 1 1.1 1.1
Climate change-induced threat Medical practitioner
(respondent Type 4)
PSR % of vote TS4
Sea level rise 4 28.1 112.4
Erosion 2 21.1 42.2
Natural disaster 4 27.4 109.6
Acidification 2 23.4 46.8
Climate change-induced threat Local people (respondent
type 5)
PSR % of vote TS5
Sea level rise 2 24.3 48.6
Erosion 3 24.9 74.7
Natural disaster 4 33.7 134.8
Acidification 2 17.1 34.2
