This book focuses on the world's largest mangrove delta complex, located at Sundarban, a world heritage site, and on the relatively new and rapidly expanding scientific discipline of ichnology. In addition to presenting a range of ichnological research databases that are widely applicable to multidisciplinary research fields in geology, biophysics, biology, ecology, geomorphology and the marine and environmental sciences, it addresses the global concern of rising sea levels to explain growing ecological problems, from the mass mortality of coastal organisms and rapid loss of mangrove forest wealth, to widespread coastal and riverbank erosion. It also demonstrates the value of applying new ichnological tools to coastal geotechnical planning and programming, and to groundwater exploration. Thus, the book addresses a broad readership including earth scientists from various disciplines, state administrators and members of the general public.

Provides a wide spectrum of ichnological features, maiden environmental ichnozonation, spatio-temporal changes in dispositions of ichnozones, retreating coastal landforms and ichnofabric overprinting Helps researchers in interpreting depositional palaeoenvironments, palaeocoastline, palaeosealevel fluctuations, palaeoecology, palaeoclimate, ancient organic communities and trace fossil interpretation from their modern analogues Contains a database for realistic understanding of adverse effects of rising sea and a futuristic projection

Autorentext
Chirananda De is an Indian Palaeontologist who served Geological Survey of India for about 32 years (1980-2012). His research expertise covers classical ichnology, ichnostratigraphy, Quaternary ichnology, environmental ichnology and applied ichnology. His research contributions incorporate several sensational discoveries, conceptual breakthroughs, promotion of fundamental principles and novel applications of ichnological tools for the benefit of mankind.

Inhalt
Introduction.- Common Trace-Making Endobenthic Invertebrates.- Descriptive Ichnology.- Biophysical Mechanisms of Crab Burrowing.- Ichnozones and their Characterization.- Preservation of Traces.- Ichnofacies and Ichnofabrics.- Spatio-Temporal Changes in Ichnozones.- Geological Significance.- Summary and Conclusions.