Essential Ecological Parameters for Marine Ecosystem- Based Management and MSP at Moheshkhali Island

Abstract

Planning a sustainable future for coastal populations requires an effective development and implementation of marine spatial planning frameworks that explicitly incorporate human activities. A framework of the ecosystem parameters with marine spatial planning has been discussed in this research and promoted coastal respondents for their better livelihood. The proposed framework for Managing Service Providers (MSP) advocates for a well-rounded approach that fosters both development and the preservation of the natural environment. The natural environment depends on the essential ecological parameters including salinity, P^H, DO, BOD etc. of the water body. The present investigation for water body showed that during pre-monsoon the highest value of water salinity was found 30.5ppt at Modirchara & Dineshpur whereas the lowest value was 25.6ppt at Uttar Nalbila. The pH value was different in different seasons. The highest pH on pre-monsoon was found 8.05 at Shoroitola whereas the lowest value was 7.5 at Safiapur. Across three distinct seasons - pre-monsoon, monsoon, and post-monsoon - the Safiapur region exhibited the highest dissolved oxygen (DO) content, while Uttar Nalbila showcased the lowest DO content. It is important to note that a higher biological oxygen demand (BOD) leads to a faster depletion of oxygen in the stream. Consequently, this limited availability of oxygen negatively impacts the survival of higher forms of aquatic life. Both high BOD and low dissolved oxygen levels yield similar outcomes, including increased stress, suffocation, and mortality among aquatic organisms. So, BOD is an important factor for aquatic organisms. Within the scope of this research, the study identified the maximum biological oxygen demand (BOD) content as 5.65 mg/L at Uttar Nalbila and the lowest BOD content was 4.65 mg/L at Safiapur during monsoon. Based on these findings, the researcher is embracing the application of marine spatial planning (MSP) as a means to reconcile the conflicting objectives of conservation and resource development in marine spaces. Presently, in Bangladesh, MSP exists predominantly as a conceptual idea rather than a clearly defined framework. Nevertheless, the growing anthropogenic pressures on coastal and marine areas underscore the urgency of adopting an MSP approach to effectively manage societal demands on Moheshkhali Island. To tackle the environmental challenges faced by coastal and marine regions, there is a surge in the development of theories and methodologies for implementing MSP throughout the country.