The Sundarbans mangrove ecosystem in the deltaic complex of the Rivers Ganga, Brahmaputra and Meghna is shared between Bangladesh (62%) and India (38%) and is the world’s largest coastal wetland. The total area of Indian Sundarbans region is about 9630 sq. km., comprising 102 islands, out of which, 54 are inhabitated with a population of more than 4 million (2011 census) and the rest of 48 islands are Reserved Forest with mangrove vegetation. A lot of studies have been carried out to explore the impact of global warming and sea level rise on the Sundarbans estuary. Most of the available studies have predicted fast submergence of the islands of the estuary in near future, thus leading to vanishing of Sundarbans mangrove forest and threatening the livelihood of the forest-fringe villagers. No detailed study had been done to measure the impact of global warming on the mangrove vegetations of Sundarban Tiger Reserve. A time series study of island dynamics and mangrove density, over a period of 15 years reveals that increased salinity due to SLR will lead to faster conversion of dense mangrove vegetation into more salt-tolerant open mangrove forest, rather than the loss of land through inundation, which will pose imminent danger to the population of Big Cat in this unique mangrove eco-system.

Addam. K. & Bou-Hamdan. M. 2015: Four new varieties of Ophrys apifera Huds. (Orchidaceae) and one Form were established in Lebanon (near the east of the Mediterranean Sea) but have not been described as part of the native flora before. The authors note the recent discovery of: Ophrys apifera var. aurita (Moggr.) Gremli Ophrys apifera Huds. var. chlorantha (Hegetschw.) Nyman, Ophrys apifera var. purpurea (Tausch) Nyman. Synonym= Ophrys apifera Huds. var. tilaventina Nonis & Liverani, Ophrys apifera var. purpurea (Tausch) Nyman. f. alba. K. Addam & M. Bou-Hamdan and Ophrys apifera Huds. And Ophrys apifera var. flavescens Rosbach Discovered varieties were under probation and observation for 7 years. They were diagnosed, described and put under strict observation to be saved or transmitted if they become in danger. These new varieties resemble the Ophrys apifera. Huds. In morphology. In the World Checklist of Selected Plant Families: Kew Royal Botanic Gardens (till 2012) they consider all of them as synonyms to Ophrys apifera Huds, but indeed in most cases they differ a lot from it. All these differences are explained in details and with illustrations.