ECO WATCH: The coral reef eco-system in the Gulf of Mannar.
Tuticorin: The Suganthi Devadason Marine Research Institute here, affiliated to Manonmaniam Sundaranar University, will study the ‘health’ and ‘productivity’ of coral reef ecosystem in Gulf of Mannar over five years, starting this fiscal.
The aim of the research is to analyse the ecological changes happening to the ecosystem, owing to the impact caused by humans as well as nature and to suggest timely remedial measures against degradation, if any.
The project will be funded by the Gulf of Mannar Biosphere Reserve Trust under a United Nations Development Programme - Global Environmental Facility scheme.
Speaking to The Hindu, J. K. Patterson Edward, Director, SDMRI, said that the study would be carried out by fixing permanent monitoring sites around 10 islands falling under Mandapam, Tuticorin, Vembar and Keezhakarai group of archipelagos.
Of the islands, Vilanguchalli and Koswari fall under Tuticorin group, Nallathani, Puluvinichalli and Upputhani under Vembar group, Valai, Poovarasanpatti and Vallimunai under Keezhakarai group, and Pullivasal and Manoliputtui under Mandapam group.
Dr. Patterson said that as part of the project, biological parameters such as percentage cover of corals, species composition, size structure of coral communities, presence of newly settled coral (coral recruitment), coral growth, fish population around corals, extent of coral bleaching, mucus secretion owing to stress, micro algal assemblage and sedimentation on the reefs, would be studied.
Physical and chemical properties in the ecosystem too will be monitored.
According to Dr. Patterson, study of coral reef health, distribution, extent and productivity would help the stakeholders to understand the impact of conservation activities being carried out on the improvements of coral reef ecosystem.
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