Skip to main content

Natural and Human Threats to Biodiversity in the Marine Ecosystem of Coastal Pakistan

  • Chapter
Coastal Zone Management Imperative for Maritime Developing Nations

Part of the book series: Coastal Systems and Continental Margins ((CSCM,volume 3))

Abstract

There exist several natural and made-made threats to biodiversity along the coast of Pakistan. Natural stresses include high wave action, high temperatures and salinity, and seasonal spread of oxygen-poor waters that ascend from deeper depths. Man-made stresses include the lack of replenishing sands and water discharge from the Indus River that have contributed to accelerated beach erosion and increased turbidity. It is the combined effect of such factors that have helped establish long and oceanic food chains in the inshore waters, resulting in more carnivorous, rather than herbivorous, fishes.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 189.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 249.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 249.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Preview

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

References

  • Ahmed, M., 1971. Oyster species of West Pakistan. Pak. J. Zool., 3: 229–236.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ahmed, M., 1977. An assessment of the magnitude of coastal pollution in Pakistan through a study of its fauna. Thalassia Jugosalavica, THJUAP, 13 (3 /4): 395–412.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ahmed, M., 1979. The present status of marine pollution in Pakistan. In: Protection of Marine Environment., M.A.A. Beg (ed.)., Pro. Natl. Sem. Prot. Mar. Env. Rel. Ecosyst. 116, PCSIR, Karachi.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ahmed, M., 1987. Conservation strategies for the marine environ-ment and marine fisheries of Pakistan. 175–202. In: Towards a National Conservation Strategy for Pakistan. Govt. Pakistan, Env. Urban Affairs Div., CIDA and IUCN.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ahmed, M., 1993. Important marine molluscs from the sea off Pakistan. CEMB, 4 (2): 1–2.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ahmed, M., 1994a. Overfishing of a Predatory Snail. CEMB NEWS, 5 (1): 1 and 8. Center of Excellence in Marine Biology, Univ. Karachi.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ahmed, M., Barkati, S., and Sanaullah, S.S., 1986. Spatfall of oysters in the Gharo-Phitti saltwater creek system near Karachi (Pakistan). Yak. J. Zool., 19: 245–252.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ahmed, M., Rizvi, S.H.N., and Moazzam, M., 1982. The distribution and abundance of intertidal organisms on some beaches of Mekran coast in Pakistan (Northern Arabian Sea). Pak. J. Zool., 14: 175–184.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ayub, Z. and Ahmed, M., 1991. Species composition of the jaira and kalri group of shrimps landing at the Karachi Fish Harbour. Pak. J. Zool., 23 (1): 45–50.

    Google Scholar 

  • Banse, K., 1984. An overview of the hydrography and associated biological phenomena in the Arabian Sea. In: Geolo and Oceanography of Arabian Sea and Coastal Pakistan. B.U. Haq, and J.D. Milliman, (eds.). Van Nostrand Reinhold, N.Y. pp: 271–304

    Google Scholar 

  • Beg, M.A.A., 1994. Changes in the ecological balance of the coastal zone of Sindh. Wildl. Env. Karachi, 3 (3): 18–23.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bryceson, I., De Souza, T.F., Jehangeer, I., Ngoile, M.A.K. and Wynter, P., 1990. State of the marine environment in the Easter African Region. UNEP Regional Seas Reports and Studies No. 113. 46 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Clark, J.R., 1992. Integrated Management of Coastal Zones. FAOFisheries Technical Paper, 327. FAO, Rome, 167 pp

    Google Scholar 

  • Groombridge, R., 1987. Mekran coast: A newly explored habitat for marine turtles. Newsletter WWF., 6 (2): 11–5.

    Google Scholar 

  • Haq, S.M., 1976. Overview of pollution in the coastal environment of Pakistan and its possible implication for the marine eco-system, pp: 33–53. In: Proc. Int. Symp. Mar. Poll. Res., Center for Wetland Resources, LSU, Baton Rouge, USA.

    Google Scholar 

  • IUCN, 1993. Marine Protected Areas: needs in the South Asian Seas Region: Vol.4. Pakistan. 42 pp. ( Pernetta, J.C., ed).

    Google Scholar 

  • Kabraji, A.M. and Firdous, F., 1984. Conservation of turtles, Hawkesbay and Sandspit, Pakistan. WWF Project 1451. Unpubl. Report. WWF and Sindh Wildlife Management Board. 52 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Karim, S.I., 1988. Avifauna of Sindh mangroves. In: Marine Science of the Arabian sea.. Thompson, M.F. and Tirmizi, N.M. (eds.). AIBS, Washington D.C. pp. 457–465.

    Google Scholar 

  • Khanum, Z. and Ahmed, M., 1988. Resident and migratory birds of the Karachi coast. In: Marine Science of the Arabian Sea. pp: 467–473. ( Thompson, M.F. and Tirmizi, N.M. eds.). American Inst. Biol. Sci. Wash. D.C.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lasserre, P., 1992. Marine biodiversity, sustainable development and global change. 38–55. In: Coastal Studies and Sustainable Development. UNESCO Technical Papers in Marine Science. 64 UNESCO.

    Google Scholar 

  • Majid A., Khan, M.M. Qureishi, S. and Malik, M.S., 1992. Handbook of Fisheries Statistics of Pakistan, Vol. 16. Marine Fisheries Deptt. Govt. Pakistan.

    Google Scholar 

  • Moazzam, M. and Rizvi, S.H.N., 1979. An overview of oil pollution along the coast of Pakistan. pp: 33–39. In: Protection of Marine Environment, Proc. Int. Reg. Sem. Prot. Mar. Env. Rel. Ecosyst M.A.A. Beg, ed.). PCSIR, Karachi.

    Google Scholar 

  • Qureshi, M.R., 1961. Pakistan’s Fisheries. Central Fisheries Department, Karachi. 70 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rizvi, S., H.N. Saleem, M., and Baquar, J.,1988. Steel Mill effluents: Influence of the Bakran creek environment. In: Thompson, M.F. and Tirmizi, N.M. (eds.). AIBS, Washington, D.C. pp: 549–569.

    Google Scholar 

  • Saifullah, S.M., 1982. Mangroves ecosystem of Pakistan. pp:71–80. Japan Cooperation Center for the Middle East. Publ. No. 137.

    Google Scholar 

  • Siddiqui, G. and Ahmed, M., 1991. Distribution and abundance of marine brachyuran crabs on two exposed rocky ledges near Karachi ( Pakistan, Arabian sea) Pak. J. Zool., 23: 57–63.

    Google Scholar 

  • Snedaker, S., 1984. Aquaculture and mangrove productivity in arid and semi-arid coastal environment. In. Mar, Geol. and Oceanogr. of Arabian Sea and coastal Pakistan, B.U. Haq and Milliman, J.D. (eds.). Van Nostrand Reinhold N.Y. pp: 281–289.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tirmizi, N.M., and Manning, R.B., 1968. Stomatopod Crustacea from West Pakistan. Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus. Vol. 125 (3666): 48 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • UNEP, 1984. Marine and Coastal Conservation in the East African region. UNEP Regional Seas Reports and Studies No.39. Prepared in Cooperation with IUCN. 293 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • UNEP, 1986. Environmental Problems of the Marine and Coastal Area of Pakistan. National Report. UNEP Regional Seas Reports and Studies No. 77. 55 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • UNEP, 1992. Convention on Biological Diversity. Environmental Law and Institution Program Activity Center. 45 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • USGLOBEC, 1993. Implementation Plan and Workshop Report for U.S. GLOBEC studies in the Arabian sea. U.S. Global Ocean Ecosystem Dynamics, Report No. 9. 105 pp.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Authors

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 1997 Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Ahmad, M. (1997). Natural and Human Threats to Biodiversity in the Marine Ecosystem of Coastal Pakistan. In: Haq, B.U., Haq, S.M., Kullenberg, G., Stel, J.H. (eds) Coastal Zone Management Imperative for Maritime Developing Nations. Coastal Systems and Continental Margins, vol 3. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-017-1066-4_17

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-017-1066-4_17

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht

  • Print ISBN: 978-90-481-4922-3

  • Online ISBN: 978-94-017-1066-4

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

Publish with us

Policies and ethics