Coral Translocation (Geography)
Coral Translocation (Geography)
Why In News:
The Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) has identified four sites on the west coast of the Great Nicobar Islands for coral translocation.
What are Coral Reefs?
Coral reefs are underwater ecosystems built by colonies of coral polyps (marine invertebrates, class Anthozoa) held together by calcium carbonate.
Often called the "rainforests of the sea": cover less than 1% of the ocean floor but support about 25% of all marine species.
Coral bleaching: When water temperatures rise, corals expel the symbiotic algae (zooxanthellae) in their tissues, turning white. If conditions persist, the coral dies.
Threats: Ocean warming, ocean acidification, sedimentation, destructive fishing, and pollution.
Coral Translocation as a Conservation Technique
Coral translocation (also called coral gardening or reef restoration) moves coral fragments from healthy reefs to degraded ones.
Two methods: (a) Coral gardening - growing corals on underwater nurseries before transplanting; (b) Direct transplantation.
Success depends on selecting heat-resistant coral strains, appropriate substrate, and low-bleaching conditions.
Nicobar Islands and Marine Biodiversity
Part of the Andaman and Nicobar archipelago in the Bay of Bengal / Andaman Sea junction - one of the richest marine biodiversity zones (Indo-Pacific Warm Pool).
The 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami caused significant damage to coral reefs in the Nicobar Islands.
Great Nicobar Island: Part of a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. The proposed Great Nicobar Development Project has raised significant conservation concerns from ecologists.
Key Facts for Prelims
India's coral reefs found in: Gulf of Mannar, Gulf of Kutch, Lakshadweep Islands (largest area), Andaman and Nicobar Islands, and Malvan / Palk Bay.
Coral Triangle: Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Timor-Leste - highest marine biodiversity zone, called "Amazon of the Seas".
Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD): International framework for biodiversity. India is a signatory. Also see Nagoya Protocol on access and benefit sharing.
National Biodiversity Authority (NBA): Established under Biological Diversity Act, 2002. Headquartered in Chennai.