The study raises concern about sustainability of corals across the Lakshadweep archipelago; Agatti, Kadmat and Kavaratti.
Key Highlights of study
- Reduced recovery rates: 50% reduction in 24-years was due to reduced recovery rates after each bleaching event.
- Major effects: Corals declined and recovered from three major El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO) events — in 1998, 2010 and 2016.
Reasons for coral depletion
- Marine heatwaves increase in temperature: With increase in frequency of marine heatwaves due to climate change induced ocean temperature which is harmful for coral health.
- Runoff and pollution: Storm generated precipitation can rapidly dilute ocean water which can bleach near-shore corals.
- Extreme low tides: Exposure to the air during extreme low tides can cause bleaching in shallow corals.
- Others: Overexposure to sunlight, El Nino, Shifting ocean currents, sedimentation, etc.
Importance of corals
- Home to important filter feeders: Like sponges, that filter toxins and contaminants out of the oceans.
- Support diverse ecosystems: Cover only 1% of the world’s oceans, but provide habitat for at least 25% of the world’s marine life.
- Other: Tourism and recreation, fishing, Source of oxygen, help in drug development, etc.
Coral reefs in India
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