3. What is Coral ?
Tiny organism
belonging to
group anthozoa
of phylum
Cnidaria
Secrets a massive
calcareous
skeleton and
collectively
deposits calcium
carbonate to build
colonies
Hard corals
harbor an algae
called
“Zooxanthallae”
Pigment of this
algae gives
extensive color
to coral tissue
4. Coral Polyps
Corals
consists of
small polyps
living together
in a group or
colony
A single polyp
has tube
shaped body
with a mouth
surrounded
by tentacles
Tentacles
helps in
capturing prey
for feeding
During
daytime
polyps are
withdrawn in
their
skeletons
At night
polyps
protrude out
for feeding
5. What is Coral Reef ?
Concentrated growth of a
variety of corals in a
localized habitat forms
coral reef
A complex system which
consist of many animals,
including corals and plants
6. Why are they important ?
Protects coastline from erosion
Employment to the Fisherman
Tourism
Contains most diverse ecosystem of planet
Provide habitats and shelter for many
marine organisms.
7.
8. Coral Bleaching and causes
Cause of bleaching
Major change in temperature (increase or decrease)
Oxygen starvation caused by an increase in
zooplankton due to overfishing
Increased solar irradiance
Increased sedimentation
Bacterial infections
9. Coral Bleaching and causes
Change in salinity of water
Elevated sea levels due to global
warming
Low tide
Exposed to sun
Elevated thermal stress resulting
from increased sea surface
temperatures (SST) leads to mass
coral bleaching
10.
11. Consequences of Coral Bleaching
Decrease in concentration of zooxanthellae causes paling
Increased concentration results in deepening of colour
Coral provides protection to algae and algae provides oxygen
and gets rid of waste
Without zooxanthallae corals are liable to starving
Coral growth and reproduction are reduced
Coral becomes increasingly susceptible to disease
Prolonged bleaching causes death of the coral
12. Corals of Andaman Sea
Andaman Sea is a home to a total of 177 species of hard
corals belonging to 57 genres
Area covered by reef is about 2000 sq. km, i.e. 6% of total
island
Andaman harbors a rich population of corals, molluscus,
fishes etc.
Most of reefs have luxuriant mangrove vegetation
Pre-dominant species are Acropora formosa, Acropora no-
bilis, Acropora robusta, Acropora breuggemanni and Acropora
grandis
13. Coral Bleaching in Andaman Sea
Increased Sea Surface Temperature (SST) caused mass bleaching
effect in 1998, 2002, 2005 and 2010
Tsunami, 2004 exposed the reefs causing mass bleaching
Most effected corals were maximum at
Havelock Island (69.49%)
South Button Island (67.28%)
Nicolson Island (56.45%)
Red Skin Island (43.39%)
North Bay (41.65%)
Chidiyatapu (36.54%)
14. Threats to Corals in Andaman
Natural
Starfish feeds on Corals
Use of Rotenone, a poison used for fishing
Thermal Pollution
Removal of mangrove forest
Logging
Excess use of coral reefs in medical purpose, i.e. for bone
transplant as reefs are rich in calcium
Removal of reefs to be used in cement industries
15. Government Policies & Law of Action
“Coastal Regulation Zone Notification 1991” regulates onshore
developmental activities for coastal environments
CRZN prohibits the collection and trade of corals
“Wildlife Protection Act, 1972” provides protection for protected areas and
marine species
Coral Reef Conservation is also included in “Environmental Protection Act,
1972” and the National Conservation Strategy and Policy on
“Environmental Development, 1992”
Action plan of “Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change” plans
on conservation and management of coral reef resources
“Indian Coral Reef Monitoring Network” has been framed.
16. THANK YOU
Presented By :
Abhinav Jha
Akash Porte
Amit Kumar Sahu
Atul Sharma
Dheeraj Neduthodi
Sandeep Kumar Sinha
Saurav kumar Jha
Sumit Suman