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Mapping of Coral ReefMapping of Coral ReefResearch: A global Research: A global

perspectivesperspectivesByBy

V. MohanV. Mohan

GuideGuideProf. (Dr.) S. RaviProf. (Dr.) S. Ravi

Department of Library & Information Department of Library & Information ScienceScience

Annamalai UniversityAnnamalai University

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What ???What ???• Corals are living beings, belonging Corals are living beings, belonging

to marine Invertebrate to marine Invertebrate • Phylum Coelenterata or Cnidaria Phylum Coelenterata or Cnidaria • occurring in the depth ranging from occurring in the depth ranging from

the low tide to 6000 metres mainly the low tide to 6000 metres mainly in the tropical regions of the in the tropical regions of the oceans and seas. oceans and seas.

• Hard corals, soft corals, precious Hard corals, soft corals, precious corals and hydrocorals corals and hydrocorals

• It may grow about half a It may grow about half a centimetre to several centimetres centimetre to several centimetres in a year and a branch may have in a year and a branch may have taken 15 years to grow taken 15 years to grow

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Oceanic Regions Reef areaX 1000 Km2

Percentage ofTotal reef Area

Asiatic Mediterranean 182 30

Indian ocean 146 24

South Pacific 77 13

North Pacific 76 12

Caribbean 57 9

North Atlantic 32 5

Red Sea 27 4

Persian Gulf 12 2

South Atlantic 8 1

Total 617 100

Distribution of Coral reefs in the major oceanic regions.

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55

66

77

88

Coral reef distribution…Coral reef distribution…

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Global Level Distributions of Coral Reefs

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Distribution of coral reefs in India

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Benefits of coral reefs…Benefits of coral reefs… • Make biologically diverse and productive ecosystems on the earth.Make biologically diverse and productive ecosystems on the earth.

• Constitute feeding, breeding and nursery grounds for many fishes and Constitute feeding, breeding and nursery grounds for many fishes and invertebrates, thus supporting a unique coral reef ecosystem in the fisheries invertebrates, thus supporting a unique coral reef ecosystem in the fisheries sector. sector.

• Provides natural protection between the open seas and coastlines from tidal, Provides natural protection between the open seas and coastlines from tidal, water currents, winds etcwater currents, winds etc

• Act as wave breaks and effectively prevent coastal erosionAct as wave breaks and effectively prevent coastal erosion

• Protect coastal areas from the consequences of predicated damagesProtect coastal areas from the consequences of predicated damages

• Potentially act as bio-indicators for climate changesPotentially act as bio-indicators for climate changes

• Bio-indicators of coastal pollutionBio-indicators of coastal pollution

• Potential store house of medicinally valuable bio-active compoundsPotential store house of medicinally valuable bio-active compounds

• Reef related aquarium and tourism plays an important role in the economics Reef related aquarium and tourism plays an important role in the economics of many countriesof many countries

• Ornamental purposesOrnamental purposes

• Some industries are exploiting the coral reefs illegally for industrial purposes Some industries are exploiting the coral reefs illegally for industrial purposes such as cement production and wall paints.such as cement production and wall paints.

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Potential net benefits per year and Potential net benefits per year and Net Present Value (NPV) Coral Reefs Net Present Value (NPV) Coral Reefs

per region (in US$ million)per region (in US$ million)

Economic Value of

Coral ReefsSoutheast Asia

Caribbean

Indian Ocean Pacific Japan USA Australia World

Reef Area (Km2) 89,000 19,000 54,000 67,000 3,000 3,000 49,000 2,84,000

Fisheries 2,281 391 969 1060 89 70 858 5,718

Coastal Protection 5,047 720 1,595 579 268 172 629 9,009

Tourism /Recreation 4,872 663 1,408 269 779 483 1,147 9,621

Biodiversity Value 458 79 199 172 529 401 3,645 5,483

Total 12,658 1,853 4,171 2,079 1,665 1,126 6,278 29,830

NPV (at 3%) 3,38,348 49,527 1,11,484 55,584 44,500 30,097 1,67,819 7,97,359

Ref: Cesar, Ref: Cesar, et. al. et. al. 20032003

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Fish Production Global level

Source: FAO fish statistics

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THANKS

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Sponge coral

2020

Coral Acropora sp. Spawning

Atoll