*A Study of Morphological Changes in the Coastal Areas and Offshore Islands of Sudarban… DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.112243*

The formation of the Bengal delta was primarily driven by the discharge of the Ganges-Brahmaputra (GB) river, resulting in accretion dominating the region for thousands of years. However, while some previous sampling studies suggested ongoing accretion in the Bengal delta [11], recent modeling studies indicate that sediment compaction has caused the delta to sink [17]. Our study presents the first evidence that the entire non-diked portion of the Sundarbans coastline in the Bengal delta is currently experiencing a net erosional state.

By analyzing a time series of satellite images, we were able to characterize the spatial and temporal aspects of the retreat. This approach reduced uncertainties inherent in modeling and sampling studies of continuous spatial processes such as coastal dynamics. The spatiotemporal analysis conducted in our study may facilitate future research in understanding the local and global factors contributing to the reported spatial variations in erosion and accretion.

We anticipate that the findings of our study will have practical implications for the management planning of the Sundarbans—the world's largest remaining patch of mangrove forests.
