Assessment of Ecosystem Services and Their Drivers of Change under Human-Dominated Pressure—The Meghna River Estuary of Bangladesh

The Meghna river estuary has had substantial importance in supporting the coastal community’s livelihood for decades, but pressure on it is immense due to many anthropogenic drivers. present study aimed assess its ecosystem services (ES) according framework of standard international classification (CICES). This also identified drivers, pressure, state, impact, and responses (DPSIR), factors responsible ES changes estuarine ecosystems. By merging both quantitative qualitative data, a total 19 sub-categories were found, among which eight are provisioning, seven regulatory, four cultural services, CICES framework. From results, can be concluded that food provisioning from Hilsha fishery, national fish as part heritage, nursery habitat functions top provisional, society areas beyond. However, several threats stressors natural origins drivers changes, such overexploitation, destructive illegal fishing, heavy bed siltation, hazards extreme cyclonic events, floods, sea levels rising. underlines urgency research policy attention address challenges, transforming management regimes an ecosystem-based approach, nature-based solutions International Union Conservation Nature (IUCN), refers case, particularly fishery co-management. Creating alternative income sources raising community awareness regarding maintaining healthy condition basins, comprehensive compliance with rules regulations proposed order ensure these ecosystems’ sustainability.